A day after Josh Heupel predicted that Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava could be in “nice form” for Saturday’s Georgia sport, a report has solid some doubt on that evaluation.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Iamaleava is in concussion protocol after leaving Saturday’s sport in opposition to Mississippi State with what the program called an upper-body injury. Per the report, Iamaleava did costume and observe on Tuesday. His standing for Saturday’s showdown in opposition to Georgia is unclear.
On Monday, Heupel painted an optimistic image relating to the standing of his quarterback, who sat the second half of Saturday’s sport after struggling his harm.
“He was with us as we speak,” Heupel mentioned. “Had a extremely good day. I really feel like he’ll be in nice form for Saturday. You guys can monitor regardless of the report is that comes out on Wednesday and monitor it all through the week. But it surely actually appears like he’ll be in a great spot.”
No. 6 Tennessee will face No. 11 Georgia in Athens Tuesday evening in a sport with the potential to knock both group out of the Faculty Soccer Playoff race. Georgia enters Saturday’s sport with a 7-2 report and recent off a 28-10 loss to Mississippi.
Tennessee is 8-1 and in prime form to make the CFP discipline if it finishes its season with out one other loss. The Vols shut their common season in opposition to unranked UTEP and Vanderbilt after going through Georgia.
Iamaleava sustained what the group deemed an upper-body harm within the first half of Saturday’s 33-14 win over Mississippi State. Per ESPN, Iamaleava was evaluated by medical doctors for concussion-like signs.
Heupel did not discuss injury specifics on Monday or communicate with media on Tuesday. Tennessee is scheduled to launch an official harm report on Wednesday.
Iamaleava returned late within the first half after apparently sustaining the harm. However he didn’t play within the second half as backup quarterback Gaston Moore closed out the sport.
It is not clear when Iamaleava suffered his harm. He took two hits within the first half that triggered his head to hit the turf.
ESPN reported this was the play Nico Iamaleava was injured on, in keeping with what the printed group was informed by Tennessee trainers.
Simply earlier than the Max Gilbert kicked a 24-yard discipline aim.
Iamaleava stayed within the sport on the following drive.
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— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) November 10, 2024
Heupel said after the game that he anticipated Iamaleava to be prepared for this week’s sport in opposition to Georgia, a stance that he reiterated after Monday’s observe session. Kickoff in opposition to Georgia is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.