Nico Iamaleava it is doubtful on Tennessee footballWednesday’s injury report as the Vols prepare to play Georgia.

The redshirt freshman quarterback is in concussion protocola source confirmed to Adam Sparks of Knox News on Tuesday. Coach Vols Josh Heupel indicated Wednesday that Iamaleava, who has started all nine games, worked out until No. 4 Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) plays No. 10 Georgia (7-2, 5-2) on Saturday. :30 pm ET, ABC) at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.

Here are Tennessee’s options at quarterback if Iamaleava can’t play.

Gaston Moore is Tennessee’s backup quarterback

Gaston Moore, a fifth-year senior, is Tennessee’s backup.

He is 16-for-25 passing for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in 2024. Moore transferred to Tennessee from UCF, where he played under Heupel in 2020.

Moore went 5-for-8 for 38 yards against Mississippi State last weekend after Iamaleava left the game. It was the longest streak against a notable opponent of his career. He went 7-of-12 for 69 yards against Chattanooga in UT’s season-opening 69-3 win. He completed all four of his pass attempts for 94 yards and two touchdowns against Kent State in a 71–0 victory on September 14.

Jake Merklinger is Tennessee’s third quarterback

Freshman Jake Merklinger is the third quarterback. The former four-star recruit is 6-for-9 for 48 yards through two games.

With Iamaleava and Merklinger, Tennessee has two scholarship quarterbacks on its roster for the second straight season. Iamaleava and Joe Milton III were the two in 2023. The Vols had three in 2022 with Milton, Hendon Hooker and Tayven Jackson. Jackson transferred to Indiana after the 2022 season, with Iamaleava entering.

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What is the latest update on the Nico Iamaleava injury?

Iamaleava worked out with Tennessee in the days since he left the Mississippi State game.

“Nico was good here the first part of the week,” Heupel said on Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference. “And at this point in the week, I’ll refer everyone to the availability report coming up later tonight. And everyone can look forward to that.”

Iamaleava completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,879 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @By MikeWilson. If you like Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription which will give you access to all of them.

This article originally appeared on the Knoxville News Sentinel: Here are options if Nico Iamaleava is ruled out for Tennessee vs. Georgia