Faizon Brandon remains listed as questionable for No. 14 Tennessee’s game against Arkansas, and coach Josh Heupel is keeping his lips sealed about who will be under center. This isn’t just a minor tweak; Brandon suffered an apparent right shoulder injury back on September 26 during a tough 20-17 loss to No. 1 Texas.
Who’s Under Center For The Vols?
The quarterback situation for Tennessee is absolutely wild right now. Brandon’s questionable status on the SEC availability report for October 8 really sets the stage. If he can’t go, it’s George MacIntyre’s world. MacIntyre actually took over for Brandon in the second quarter of the Auburn game on October 3. What did he do? He lit a fire under the Vols, sparking them to a 24-14 win! You’d think that performance would earn him the nod, and media outlets, citing their sources, even reported on October 6 that MacIntyre would get his first career start against Arkansas. But Heupel? He refused to confirm anything. Talk about a coach playing his cards close to the vest, huh?
Tennessee’s Injury List Is Getting Out Of Control
As if the QB drama wasn’t enough, Tennessee’s roster is getting absolutely decimated by injuries. It’s not just Brandon and running back Javin Gordon, who’s also questionable, or defensive lineman Kedric Golston, who’s been ruled out for the Arkansas game. We’re talking about seven, count ’em, SEVEN players who have already suffered season-ending injuries. This isn’t some minor ding; these are major hits to the depth chart, especially for a ranked team trying to make some noise.
- Starting left guard Wendell Moe
- Starting safety Edrees Farooq (knee)
- Starting tight end Ethan Davis (knee)
- Safety Dylan Lewis (foot)
- Wide receiver/kick returner Joakim Dodson (leg)
- Linebacker Jaedon Harmon (knee)
- Cornerback Jadais Richard (upper-body)
That’s three starters gone for the season, plus a bunch of other key contributors. This kind of injury toll has to be weighing heavily on the coaching staff and the team.
What’s Next For No. 14 Tennessee
No. 14 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) is set to clash with Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) in Fayetteville tomorrow, October 10. Kickoff is at 4:15 p.m. ET on SEC Network. With so much uncertainty at the most important position and a brutal list of season-ending injuries, this game isn’t just about the standings. It’s a massive test of this team’s resilience and depth. Every snap, every decision, especially under center, will be under a microscope. Can they keep their momentum going despite the chaos?
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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