Haynes King injury update: Georgia Tech makes decision on starting QB vs. Miami

Haynes King will be available for Georgia Tech‘s Week 12 game against No. 4 Miami, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

His final injury designation was made after undergoing pregame warmups. He was previously considered a game-time decison after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury.

“I was told the decision was just made minutes ago in the locker room that Haynes King, who injured his shoulder two games ago, will start this game,” ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden reported at kickoff. “He went through pregame warm ups, then went back into the locker room and talked to the trainers and told the coaching staff that he was good to go.

“That injured shoulder is the same thing he suffered back when he played at Texas A&M. He cannot reinjure it running the football, or by taking a hit for the concern is that with running the rock, it’s how he looks throwing the ball.”

Thamel reported earlier on Saturday morning that he expects true freshman Aaron Philo to earn the starting nod on Saturday against the Hurricanes if King is unable to finish the game.

This is good news for the Yellow Jackets, however, as Georgia Tech began the season 5-2 under King’s guidance. Before going down with injury, he completed 71.2 percent of his passes this season for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns to only one interception. King also runs well, with 353 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

They’ve lost both matchups since King has been sidelined, and are in danger of dropping to .500 if they’re unable to upset Miami on Saturday. Heading into its final two games of the season against NC State and Georgia — Georgia Tech has to win at least one of those games to become bowl eligible, making the outcome of Week 11’s game all the more important.

Of course, if they can defeat the ‘Canes in Week 11 there won’t be an question about the Yellow Jacket’s get the win. Still, this looks to be Georgia Tech’s toughest matchup on their regular season schedule, and the Hurricanes have everything to lose against the Yellow Jackets on Saturday.

Heading into the matchup, Georgia Tech is a 10-point underdog while the over/under is set at 63.5 points. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET and will air live on ESPN.