Tennessee’s quarterback situation is still up in the air heading into Saturday’s showdown with Alabama, and the SEC injury report didn’t clear anything up on Oct. 15.
Faizon Brandon remained questionable for the No. 14 Volunteers as they prepare to face No.
7 Alabama on Oct. 17 at Neyland Stadium. The game is set for 3:30 p.m.
ET on ABC.
A source told Knox News on Oct. 15 that MacIntyre would start against the Tide.
Brandon, a five-star freshman, opened the season as Tennessee’s starter and began the year with five straight starts. But a right shoulder injury suffered in the Vols’ 20-17 loss to Texas on Sept. 26 changed his trajectory.
He has not played since being benched for George MacIntyre in the middle of Tennessee’s 24-14 win over Auburn on Oct. 3.
Josh Heupel said Brandon was at the Arkansas game for “emergency use only” on Oct. 10, and multiple reports have indicated Brandon has been limited in practice this week.
Tennessee is already dealing with a heavy injury load. Seven Volunteers have been ruled out for the season: starting left guard Wendell Moe, starting safety Edrees Farooq, starting tight end Ethan Davis, safety Dylan Lewis, wide receiver and kick returner Joakim Dodson, linebacker Jaedon Harmon and cornerback Jadais Richard.
Alabama’s first availability report also included some notable names, including three starters who were injured in the Crimson Tide’s 20-17 loss to No. 1 Georgia on Oct. 10.
Wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is out. He leads Alabama with 23 catches, 415 yards and four touchdowns.
Starting defensive lineman Terrance Green, who has 2.5 sacks, is also out. Starting center Racin Delgatty was downgraded from questionable to doubtful because of a lower leg injury.
The rest of Alabama’s report listed linebacker Justin Hill as probable, while linebacker Desmond Umeozulu, linebacker Cayden Jones, defensive back Nick Sherman and defensive linemen Jeremiah Beaman and Terrance Green were out.
The SEC availability report, which debuted in 2024 for conference games only, is updated daily during game week and then again 90 minutes before kickoff. Before game day, schools label players as available, probable, questionable, doubtful or out. On game day, the designations change to available, game-time decision or out.
The SEC defines those categories this way: Out: Will not play, 0% chance to play.
Doubtful: Unlikely to play, 25% chance to play. Questionable: Uncertain to play, 50% chance to play.
Probable: Probable to play, 75% chance to play.
Per SEC policy, schools have to accurately report a player’s status if they know he may not be able to play for any reason, including injury, illness, suspension, ineligibility or personal matter. Schools that fail to comply can face penalties from $25,000 for a first offense to $100,000 for a third and further offenses.
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Tennessees Biggest Alabama Question Just Got More Tense
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Alabama, also 5-1, comes in dealing with its own injury concerns, with several players marked out or doubtful, including star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams. The updated reports released ahead of the game add another layer of uncertainty to a rivalry matchup that was already set up to say plenty about both teams, and Tennessees biggest question now feels even more pressing as the start time approaches. [Read more 🡒]
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For the Volunteers, the challenge is that the momentum appears to be leaning elsewhere right now. Kentucky is the clear favorite in the Rivals Prediction Machine, and Hall has also signaled interest in staying close to home under coach Will Stein, giving the Wildcats a strong position in a battle Tennessee would love to tighten before it gets too far away. [Read more 🡒]