ESPN broadcast gives concerning injury update on Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava

According to the ESPN broadcast, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava will not return against Mississippi State due to an upper-body injury. The Vols will have to rely on backup quarterback Gaston Moore the rest of the way to secure the win against the Bulldogs. 

Coming out of the halftime break, ESPN gave an injury update on Nico and running back Dylan Sampson. They surprisingly announced that Nico is out for the remainder of the game, which came out of nowhere because Nico finished the first half, helping the Vols get a pair of field goals at the end of the half.

Nico seemed shaken up after that hit in the second quarter, but ESPN reported that it could have been a different hit that landed Nico in the locker room for the rest of the game. 

It seemed like Tennessee's training staff could be taking precautions with Nico's injury, and the coaching staff is okay with holding him out of the second half against Mississippi State with Georgia on deck, but it could be worse than it initially seemed. 

The ESPN broadcast provided an additional update on Nico's injury status, with sideline reporter Taylor McGregor stating that the star freshman quarterback likely won't return to the field from the locker room throughout the second half, so we might not see Nico even in street clothes for the rest of the night. 

That indicates that his injury could be more serious than fans had hoped and speculated. It is still unclear what the specific injury is as fans and the broadcast continue to wait for more information, but it doesn't sound like it could be very good for Nico and the Vols moving forward.