Tennessee coach Josh Heupel confirmed that quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be available for the Georgia game on Saturday after leaving the Vols’ 33-14 win against Mississippi State last week with an undisclosed injury.
“He was with us today,” Heupel said during his weekly press conference on Monday. “Had a really good day. Feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday, but you guys can monitor whatever the report is that comes out on Wednesday and track it through the week. Certainly feel like he’ll be in a good spot.”
Iamaleava was knocked out of the game against State on the final drive of the first half, but there was no indication he wouldn’t return to start the second half. Then, Tennessee senior and backup quarterback Gaston Moore began the second half under center.
When asked if Moore would receive more first-team reps this week with Iamaleava injured, Heupel said, “Gaston gets reps throughout the course of practice everyday, every week and that’s why he went out and played the way he did too.”
Multiple reports have suggested that Iamaleava is dealing with a shoulder injury and, perhaps, a concussion that was suffered when he was tackled shortly before halftime.
The Vols are also dealing with another injury in the passing game as receiver Dont’e Thornton suffered an undisclosed injury during the game against Mississippi State and was held out of much of the latter part of the game.
“Feel like Dont’e will be go able to go in this one too,” Heupel said. “You can monitor the injury report. Starts on Wednesday.”
For the first time in SEC history, teams are required to release injury reports that are distributed on Wednesday evening and updated for the remainder of the week. The Vols play Georgia in Athens, Ga. at 7:30 PM EST on Saturday.
Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 in the SEC) is currently ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll. Georgia (7-2, 5-2) is ranked No. 11. The updated College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday.
