Vols QB Nico Iamaleava expected to play at Georgia

Field Level Media|published: 11/11/2024, 1:57pm EST

Nov 2, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Sixth-ranked Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava should be "in great shape" for this week's showdown at No. 11 Georgia, Volunteers coach Josh Heupel said Monday.

Iamaleava did not play in the second half of Saturday's 33-14 victory against Mississippi State because of what a team spokesperson called an "upper-body injury."

"(He) was with us today ... had a really good day," Heupel said at his weekly press conference Monday. "Feel like he'll be in great shape for Saturday. But you guys can monitor (the SEC availability report) on Wednesday and track it throughout the week. (We) certainly feel like he'll be in a good spot."

Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) was ranked No. 7 and Georgia (7-2, 5-2) No. 3 in the first College Football Playoff poll released last week, but the Bulldogs fell 28-10 on Saturday at Ole Miss.

Heupel did not provide any additional details about Iamaleava's injury.

The 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,879 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games this season. Iamaleava has also rushed for 215 yards and one score.

Gaston Moore replaced Iamaleava against the Bulldogs and completed 5 of 8 passes for 38 yards.

--Field Level Media