Who to believe?
Across the country, everyone seems to have a report on whether or not Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be ready to go for Saturday night’s game against No. 12 Georgia. Iamaleava left last weekend’s game against Mississippi State with what was called an upper body injury, which now seems to have been narrowed down to concussion-like symptoms.
Following the game, Josh Heupel described Iamaleava’s absence as precautionary. Heupel also confirmed that his starting quarterback was with the team and practiced on Monday.
“He was with us today, had a really good day,” Heupel said on Monday. “Feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday, but you guys can monitor whatever the report is that comes out on Wednesday and track it through the week. But certainly feel like he’ll be in a good spot.”
Backup Gaston Moore finished the game against Mississippi State, playing the entire second half.
Since those Monday comments we’ve seen several people in the know offer their own reports on the situation. Those have varied quite a bit, to say the least. Chris Fallica, better known as The Bear, reported that Iamaleava was unlikely to play on Saturday.
REPORT: Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica says Nico Iamaleava is not expected to play against Georgia due to a concussion.
(via @ugasportscom, h/t @HBTFD1) https://t.co/KtinrkYlm6 pic.twitter.com/y9yYz9xEIw
— On3 (@On3sports) November 13, 2024
ESPN’s Pete Thamel sided with most of the local reporters on the matter, saying that nothing had been determined on his status.
Sources: Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava is in concussion protocol after leaving the Mississippi State game last week with an injury and not returning to the sideline for the second half. He did dress and practice on Tuesday, and his status for the Georgia is undetermined.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 13, 2024
And then a couple of Tennessee natives in the industry firmly stated their beliefs that Nico would be ready to roll.
He is playing https://t.co/hdc7K6m8PW
— Shannon Terry (@ShannonTerry) November 13, 2024
Update. I hear he’ll be good to go. Thornton more like 50/50. https://t.co/JIi0h36S4X
— Brent Dougherty (@brentdougherty) November 13, 2024
Tennessee’s first injury report comes out tonight, and frankly I’d be shocked if the designation reads anything other than questionable. Heupel gave a rosy outlook on Saturday and then again on Monday, but that could simply be more about gamesmanship. Remember, Tennessee doesn’t have to say anything definitive until Wednesday night on the official injury report.
This situation feels like it’s going to go down to the buzzer on Saturday.