Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava listed as questionable ahead of Georgia game

Tennessee has released its first availability report ahead of the Vols' big game against Georgia this Saturday. The Vols are preparing for their trip to Athens in what will likely be a College Football Playoff win-and-you're-in game for the winner of the ranked SEC matchup. 

If the Vols hope to win, they will need their star redshirt freshman quarterback to produce the performance of the year. However, Tennessee fans have been unsure whether Nico Iamaleava would play against Georgia after his injury in the Mississippi State game. 

It's unclear whether or not Nico will play against Georgia. In Tennessee's Wednesday availability report, Nico was listed as questionable with star wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, who also left the Mississippi State game early with an injury. 

Nico headed into the locker room at halftime against Mississippi State but never returned with the rest of the team. It was later reported that Nico suffered an injury at the end of the first half and wouldn't be returning in the second half. 

Josh Heupel said postgame that keeping Nico out in the second half was precautionary, as the Vols were likely already starting to look to Georgia. Pete Thamel reported on Wednesday that Nico was in concussion protocol, and it was unclear where he would play Saturday.

"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," Thamel reported on X. "He did dress and practice on Tuesday, and his status for Georgia is undetermined."

Tennessee fans focused on a hit late in the first half that sidelined Nico. It's clear that Nico's head hit the turf, which likely led to the possible concussion ruling during halftime.

Not having Thornton would be a big hit to Tennessee's offense because it would remove a valuable downfield threat, but not having Nico would handicap the offense in a vital game for Tennessee's season. 

Heupel continues to be optimistic that Nico will be ready by Saturday, but we will have to wait and see closer to the end of the week if he will be ready or if the Vols will roll with Gaston Moore against the Bulldogs. 

Others on the injury report are DB Jourdan Thomas, LB Keenan Pili, LB Edwin Spillman, and DeSean Bishop, who are all ruled out against Georgia. OL Vysen Lang joins Nico and Thornton as questionable ahead of the ranked SEC matchup.