Faizon Brandon, Tennessee’s freshman quarterback, wasn’t on the initial SEC availability report for the Auburn game issued on September 30. That’s big time news for the Vols and their faithful, because it means Brandon is set to play when #17 Tennessee hosts Auburn this Saturday. After the pounding he took against Texas, fans were absolutely holding their breath.
Brandon’s Brutal Week and Lingering Questions
Let’s be real, Brandon got absolutely rocked against #1 Texas on September 26. He suffered an apparent right shoulder injury on his throwing arm and was sacked a brutal 10 times in that tough 20-17 loss. Ten sacks! Plus, he took even more vicious hits when throwing and running the ball. He was even knocked out of the game for part of the second quarter. When he did return, some of his passes were short-hopping to receivers, which, yeah, that got everyone worried.
The questions didn’t stop there. Brandon wasn’t available for the postgame press conference because he was getting medical treatment, according to a UT spokesperson. That naturally fueled speculation: was his shoulder still a major issue? His absence from that report, though, is the clearest signal we’ve got: he’s suiting up. But will he be 100%? That’s the million-dollar question, and frankly, the report doesn’t guarantee he’s fully recovered from those monstrous hits.
George MacIntyre: Ready in the Wings?
Here’s the thing, even if Brandon is good to go, it doesn’t mean backup George MacIntyre won’t see the field. Given the beating Brandon took, and those short-hopped passes, you have to wonder if the Vols coaches might have a package for MacIntyre or be ready to make a change if Brandon struggles or takes more hits. The team’s gotta protect its future, especially after such a rough outing. You don’t want to risk further injury to your starting freshman, even if he’s cleared.
The #17 Vols, currently 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the SEC, are hosting Auburn, who are also 3-1 but 1-1 in conference play. This is a huge conference game. You know Neyland Stadium is going to be absolutely rocking when this one kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on October 3. Brandon’s availability is massive, but all eyes will be on that shoulder and how he performs in such a critical matchup. Get ready for a battle!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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