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Sources: UCLA QB Iamaleava out indefinitely with knee injury
Confirmed
In Short: UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out indefinitely with a knee injury, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out indefinitely with a knee injury, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Iamaleava is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 college football season.
Iamaleava, a former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, had been a key part of UCLA’s success this season. He was the victim of a dirty hit in UCLA’s win against Oregon, which saw him exit the game in the second quarter.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that there is no definitive timeline for Iamaleava’s absence, and the final timeline is pending an upcoming medical evaluation. Coach Bob Chesney told 247Sports, “We're really on a week-to-week basis here.”
In four-plus games this season, Iamaleava completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 982 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also rushed for 144 yards and a score. Iamaleava had been a five-star recruit and transferred from Tennessee to UCLA prior to the 2025 season.
During the game against Oregon, Iamaleava completed 10-of-17 passes for 162 yards and two interceptions before exiting. Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach came on in place of Iamaleava and helped orchestrate the victory for the Bruins, who improved to 5-0.
UCLA coach Bob Chesney told reporters that Iamaleava was initially fine and had dealt with a thigh issue, but it became clear that the injury was more severe. Chesney said, “I'm gonna wait on our doctors to make the final call on things.”
With Iamaleava out, Dieffenbach took over and managed the offense well enough to secure the win. Dieffenbach completed 3 of 6 passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team to a touchdown on a short field after an Oregon interception.
UCLA will host Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. The Bruins’ success this season has been largely attributed to Iamaleava’s performance, and his absence will be a significant blow to the team’s prospects.
Iamaleava’s injury occurred during a second-quarter scramble where he landed awkwardly on his leg. He stayed down and did not start the second half of the game.
The redshirt junior, Ty Dieffenbach, is aware of the big opportunity he has been given. He said, “I was just ready. I've been waiting for this moment.”
Background
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA's quarterback, is out indefinitely with a knee injury, expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season.
World number one Jannik Sinner announced on Instagram that he will not compete again in 2026 due to a knee injury, ending his season early.
What's confirmed
- According to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Iamaleava is expected to miss the rest of the 2026 college football season with a knee injury.
- For now, he’s out “indefinitely.” Sources: UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
- There’s no timetable set yet, as any final timeline is pending an upcoming medical evaluation. pic.twitter.com/UFYVXvKiFE The former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback was the victim of a dirty hit in UCLA’s win against Oregon.
- Iamaleava, 6’5, 215-pound senior, had been a key part of UCLA’s success until Saturday, seeing his NFL Draft stock rise this season with a quality start to the year.
- Still, UCLA managed to win despite Iamaleava’s injury, beating the Ducks 17-15 on the road thanks to a stellar defensive performance and a 100-yard game from running back Wayne Knight.
- With the Iamaleava news, we’ll see how the odds shift ahead of Saturday’s game.
- Iamaleava did not start the second half of Saturday's 17-15 win at Oregon.
- Dieffenbach completed 3 of 6 passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.
- Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach took over in Iamaleava's absence.
- UCLA will host Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.
- Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee in 2025, has been a huge part of the Bruins' resurgence this season.
- Iamaleava completed 10-of-17 passes with two interceptions before exiting.
What's still developing
- Looking ahead to the offseason, Iamaleava will have a big decision to make regarding the 2027 NFL Draft.
- A four-star recruit in the 2025 signing class, Madden spent a few months at Arkansas before joining his brother at UCLA.
- Iamaleava exited Saturday's 17-15 win over Oregon after getting tangled up awkwardly between a pair of Ducks defenders.
- After Iamaleava jogged off, Dieffenbach threw an incompletion.
- He did struggle, however, against the Ducks, throwing for 162 yards and two interceptions with under a 60 percent completion rate before his injury.