Nico Iamaleava injury update: Latest news on Tennessee QB’s status vs. Georgia

The biggest game on college football’s Week 11 slate is expected to take place in the SEC when No. 12 Georgia hosts No. 7 Tennessee as both battle for positioning in the postseason. Entering the game, the biggest question around each team involves the two starting quarterbacks — but for different reasons.

While Georgia’s Carson Beck looks to rebound from a stretch of turnover-heavy play, Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava might not even get a chance to play in the game. The redshirt freshman is currently in concussion protocol, and it’s unclear whether he will be cleared in time to play

Nico Iamaleava injury update

Iamaleava is expected to return to the field on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Chris Low.

The Volunteers star was placed in concussion protocol after taking a big hit in the first half of last week’s games against Mississippi State. The quarterback did not return to the game in the second half, failing to even come out onto the sideline when the game resumed after the break.

On Wednesday, head coach Josh Heupel said Iamaleava was improving but the team had to see how he progresses through the week.

“Nico has been good here in the early part of the week,” Heupel said. “And at this point in the week, I’ll refer everybody to the availability report that comes out later tonight.”

He was subsequently listed as questionable on Wednesday’s injury report. However, it seems Iamaleava has cleared any potential hurdles and will take his role under center when the Volunteers face off with Georgia on Saturday.