Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game at Arkansas after struggling with a right shoulder injury and uneven form in recent outings. The 14th-ranked Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) face the Razorbacks (2-3, 0-2 SEC) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Oct. 10, with kickoff scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
Brandon was replaced by backup George MacIntyre during the second quarter of Tennessee’s 24-14 win over Auburn on Oct. 3. The freshman completed just three of eight passes for zero yards and threw an interception before being subbed out. Heupel has not confirmed whether Brandon’s injury or his performance prompted the change.
Head coach Josh Heupel acknowledged Brandon is “still dealing with some injury things” ahead of the Arkansas game but declined to provide specifics. “I’m not going to go into great detail on our plan for our quarterbacks this Saturday,” Heupel said during the SEC coaches teleconference on Oct. 5. “Faizon was dealing, still dealing, with some injury things. We’re working through that here this week.”
The injury reportedly occurred on Sept. 26 in Tennessee’s narrow 20-17 loss to No. 1 Texas. Brandon suffered an apparent right shoulder injury in the second quarter and missed several plays while receiving treatment. Backup MacIntyre took over briefly before Brandon returned to finish the game.
Brandon was not listed on Tennessee’s availability reports before the Auburn game, suggesting the injury lingered into early October. Heupel told ESPN at halftime of the Auburn game that Brandon “wasn’t feeling 100%,” but later downplayed the injury’s role in his struggles during the postgame press conference. “I don’t know that I would say that,” Heupel said when asked if Brandon’s health affected his performance. “We’ll watch a little bit of the tape and see more of it. But we’ll go from there.”
MacIntyre’s performance during his relief stint against Auburn offered a glimpse of an alternative. The sophomore completed eight of 10 passes for 86 yards and helped Tennessee hold on for the win. MacIntyre, a four-star recruit from Brentwood Academy, has yet to start a college game but now appears poised for his first career start, according to reports from Knox News and other media outlets citing sources.
Behind Brandon and MacIntyre, Tennessee’s quarterback depth chart includes Ryan Staub, a senior transfer from Colorado. Staub has seen limited action this season, playing seven snaps and completing three passes for 27 yards in the season opener against Furman on Sept. 5.
Brandon entered the season as the Vols’ starting quarterback after being named to the role on Aug. 24. The five-star freshman has completed 61 of 101 passes for 697 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception across five games. He also adds 130 net rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, contributing to Tennessee’s offensive versatility.
The Razorbacks, sitting at 2-3 overall and winless in conference play, host Tennessee looking to improve their SEC record. Tennessee, meanwhile, will aim to maintain momentum despite uncertainty at quarterback.
As of Oct. 9, Tennessee’s official availability reports list Brandon as questionable but provide no update on a definitive starting quarterback. Heupel’s remarks suggest the decision will hinge on how Brandon responds to treatment during the week. The Volunteers travel to Fayetteville with quarterback health remaining a topic watchers will follow closely.
According to Yahoo Sports.