Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been authorized to play in Saturday night’s crucial College Football Playoff matchup between the sixth-ranked Volunteers and No. 11 Georgia.
Iamaleava reportedly started the week in concussion protocol after suffering an injury during a victory over Mississippi State.
Iamaleava was excluded from the report on Friday after being marked as questionable on the first two injury reports submitted to the Southeastern Conference.
A major contributor to Tennessee’s four-game winning streak has been Iamaleava. He has 1,879 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions on 65% of his throws since the second half of a victory over Alabama on October 19.
After previously being labeled as questionable due to a hand injury, receiver Dont’e Thornton has also been cleared to play for Tennessee. With 505 receiving yards and four touchdowns, he leads the Volunteers.
Tennessee’s quarterback situation is in flux as Nico Iamaleava will miss this Saturday’s high-stakes matchup against Georgia due to an injury. The freshman sensation, who has shown flashes of brilliance this season, was expected to play a pivotal role in the Vols’ offense against the Bulldogs, a team that has dominated the SEC in recent years. Iamaleava’s absence leaves a significant void, and the Tennessee coaching staff must now rely on backup quarterbacks to step up.
While the Vols have depth at the position, the loss of Iamaleava, who has been a key part of Tennessee’s offensive success, puts added pressure on whoever takes the reins. Joe Milton, the experienced senior, is the most likely candidate to start in Iamaleava’s place.
Milton has shown inconsistency this season, but his big-arm ability could still make him a dangerous threat, especially against Georgia’s tough defense.
This setback adds another layer of difficulty for Tennessee, as they will need to find offensive rhythm without their young star. With the SEC title race in full swing and Georgia’s defense looming large, the Vols will need a near-perfect performance from their quarterback to have a chance at upsetting the Bulldogs.