Tennessee Vols get great news 24 hours before taking on Georgia Bulldogs
As it turns out, Tennessee Volunteer fans won't have to wait nervously all day on Saturday to find out the status of quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Per ESPN's Chris Low, Nico has cleared concussion protocol and will play on Saturday night in the Vols' massive tilt against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. The status of Iamaleava […]
As it turns out, Tennessee Volunteer fans won't have to wait nervously all day on Saturday to find out the status of quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Per ESPN's Chris Low, Nico has cleared concussion protocol and will play on Saturday night in the Vols' massive tilt against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.
The status of Iamaleava was the elephant in the room for the Vols this week. Josh Heupel did little to give much insight, although he indicated he was optimistic about his chances to play. Nico was listed on the initial SEC availability report as questionable.
It was a good indication of Nico's chances of being cleared earlier on Friday when he traveled with the team to Athens. Now, hours later, all remaining doubt has been removed with him being reported as good to go on Saturday night.
Iamaleava left with a then-unknown injury after taking a hit late in the first half during the Vols' 33-14 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Knoxville. He was held out of the rest of the game for what was later stated as precautionary reasons, with backup QB Gaston Moore handling the second half for the Tennessee offense.
Now, Tennessee's chances of claiming their first win over Georgia since 2016 received a big shot in the arm. We'll find out in less than a day if Nico and the rest of the Vols can find a way to all but lock up a spot in the college football playoff with a massive win on Saturday night between the hedges.
UPDATE (8:30 pm ET): Also per Chris Low, WR Dont'e Thornton, Jr. is set to go on Saturday night for Tennessee as well. Thornton, Jr. left the game against Mississippi State last week with an upper body injury and was listed as questionable on the availability report this week. Low notes that the undisclosed injury was an issue with his hand.
As such, Tennessee will now have their starting quarterback and his top receiving target available for Saturday.
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