Josh Heupel: Nico Iamaleava is in ‘good form’ for the game against Georgia
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava suffered an upper-body injury against Mississippi State. Coach Josh Heupel provided an update vs. Georgia.
Tennessee Football finds itself in a game crucial to its College Football Playoff chances as it travels to No. 10 Georgia.
One of the many storylines heading into Saturday night’s SEC primetime showdown is not just the CFP or postseason picture, but the status of Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava, who is listed as questionable on the SEC availability report, went down with an upper-body injury in the second quarter of Tennessee’s Week 11 win over Mississippi State. He also underwent concussion surgery this week.
As reported by Adam Sparks of Knox News via a source with direct knowledge of the situation, Iamaleava has continued to practice with the rest of the team and prepare for Georgia despite being in the concussion protocol.
Entering Saturday’s game, the Vols have a 74.7% chance of making the playoffs according to ESPN’s College Football Power Index. Those odds would certainly increase with a win over Georgia.
Here’s what you need to know about Iamaleava’s injury from Week 11 against Mississippi State, plus his status for Saturday’s game against Georgia:
Will Nico Iamaleava play today? Tennessee QB status vs. Georgia
Iamaleava remained listed as questionable in Thursday’s updated SEC availability report. The Vols quarterback is also in the concussion protocol, as previously confirmed and reported by Adam Sparks of Knox News.
During the SEC coaches’ teleconference on Wednesday, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said that despite being in the concussion protocol, Iamaleava has participated in practice and “performed well.”
“Nico was good here at the beginning of the week,” Heupel said on Wednesday. “And at this point in the week, I refer everyone to the availability report that’s coming out later tonight. And everyone can wait with anticipation for that.”
Heupel’s said earlier Monday that he was optimistic about his quarterback’s status and availability to start Saturday against Georgia.
“We feel like he’ll be in top form on Saturday,” Heupel said Monday. “But you guys can keep an eye on the SEC availability report on Wednesday and follow it all week. We certainly feel like he’ll be in a good spot.”
The Vols quarterback was medically cleared and met all criteria to be available against the Bulldogs, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to Knox News on Friday.
Nico Iamaleava injury
Iamaleava suffered an injury in the second quarter of last Saturday’s game against Mississippi State.
The injury occurred during a red zone drive in which the Vols’ 6-foot-1 quarterback took a hit from Mississippi State safety Isaac Smith during a quarterback scramble. When Iamaleava was taken to the ground by Smith, the Vols quarterback appeared to hit his head hard on the ground.
Iamaleava did not play the entire second half of the Vols’ 33-14 victory over the Bulldogs. He dropped out with an upper-body injury, Knox News reported.
Here’s a look at the play where ESPN broadcast reported Iamaleava was injured:
Nico Iamaleava statistics
Here’s a look at Iamaleava’s stats this season:
- 2024: 144-of-221 passing (65.2%) for 1,879 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions; 64 carries for 215 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown
