Nico Iamaleava to miss second half as a ‘precautionary measure’

Tennessee expects to have a top quarterback Nico Jamaleava ready for next week’s game at Georgia after the redshirt freshman missed the second half of Saturday’s win against Mississippi State with an undisclosed injury.

Iamaleava left Saturday’s game in the second quarter shortly after landing hard on his right side following a hit from the Mississippi State player. Isaac Smith. The quarterback returned briefly on Tennessee’s final drive of the first half before missing the second half.

Coach Josh Heupel said Iamaleava sat as a “precautionary measure.”

“We expect to have it ready next week,” Heupel said. “It feels like we’re ready (in Georgia).”

Iamaleava completed 8 of 13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and added 22 rushing yards against Mississippi State, before leaving the game as No. 7 Tennessee stormed out to a 20-7 halftime lead. Gaston Moore replaced Iameleava and had 38 passing yards in Tennessee’s 33–14 win.