A day after Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel predicted that quarterback Nico Iamaleava could be in “nice form” for Saturday’s Georgia sport, a report has forged some doubt on that evaluation.
U9f" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:According to ESPN's Pete Thamel;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Iamaleava is in concussion protocol after leaving Saturday’s sport in opposition to Mississippi State with what this system referred to as an upper-body damage. Per the report, Iamaleava did costume and apply on Tuesday. His standing for Saturday’s showdown in opposition to Georgia is unclear.
On Monday, Heupel painted an optimistic image concerning the standing of his quarterback, who sat the second half of Saturday’s sport after struggling his damage.
“He was with us at the moment,” Heupel mentioned. “Had a very 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. Nevertheless it actually appears like he’ll be in a great spot.”
No. 6 Tennessee will face No. 11 Georgia in Athens on Tuesday night time in a sport with the potential to knock both crew out of the School Soccer Playoff race. Georgia enters Saturday’s sport with a 7-2 file and recent off a 28-10 loss to Mississippi.
Tennessee is 8-1 and in prime form to make the CFP area 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 crew deemed an upper-body damage 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 didn’t talk about damage specifics on Monday or converse with media on Tuesday. Tennessee is scheduled to launch an official damage report on Wednesday.
Iamaleava returned late within the first half after apparently sustaining the damage. However he didn’t play within the second half as backup quarterback Gaston Moore closed out the sport.
It isn’t clear when Iamaleava suffered his damage. He took two hits within the first half that brought about his head to hit the turf.
ESPN reported this was the play Nico Iamaleava was injured on, in accordance with what the published crew was advised by Tennessee trainers.
Simply earlier than the Max Gilbert kicked a 24-yard area objective.
Iamaleava stayed within the sport on the subsequent drive.
🔗 mfp UY5" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:pic.twitter.com/dgRP4sgaDk;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">pic.twitter.com/dgRP4sgaDk
— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) GvV" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:November 10, 2024;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">November 10, 2024
Heupel mentioned after the sport that he anticipated Iamaleava to be prepared for this week’s sport in opposition to Georgia, a stance that he reiterated after Monday’s apply session. Kickoff in opposition to Georgia is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.