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Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon available; Alabama key players out
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- Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon available; Alabama key players out
Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon is available for the Alabama game on Oct. 17, but some notable Crimson Tide players are out due to injury.
Alabama leading wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, starting defensive lineman Terrance Green and starting center Racin Delgatty were previously listed as out. The status of tight end Josh Ford (game-time decision) and reserve linebacker Justin Hill (available) were updated on the final SEC student-athlete availability report 90 minutes before kickoff.
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No. 14 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) plays No. 7 Alabama (5-1, 3-1) at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC at Neyland Stadium.
Faizon Brandon available, George MacIntyre expected to start
Brandon was upgraded from questionable with a right shoulder injury to available on Oct. 16, so he did not appear on the final report. But a source told Knox News that George MacIntyre will start at quarterback against Alabama.
"Faizon will be ready to go , he got some practice reps," coach Josh Heupel said on "SEC Nation" on Oct. 17. "But this is George's football game."
In pregame warm-ups, Brandon took snaps as the No. 2 quarterback and threw passes to receivers. He had zip on his short and intermediate passes, initially showing no effects of the injury to his throwing shoulder. But he later threw a pass short on a post route and short-hopped another toss on an out-route.
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MacIntyre made his first career start in a 24-17 win over Arkansas on Oct. 10. He passed for 247 yards and a touchdown, committed three turnovers and did enough to stave off an upset.
Brandon, a five-star freshman, started UT's first five games of the season, but he suffered a right shoulder injury in a 20-17 loss to Texas on Sept. 26. Brandon hasn't played since being benched in favor of MacIntyre midway through a 24-14 win over Auburn on Oct. 3.
Heupel said Brandon was at the Arkansas game for "emergency use only" on Oct. 10. Brandon has been limited at practice this week, according to numerous reports.
Seven Tennessee players have already suffered season-ending injuries. They include 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) and cornerback Jadais Richard (upper-body).
Why Alabama injured players matter to Tennessee football
Hill, who often plays edge rusher, returns to the Alabama defense after missing the past three games. He had one sacks and 2.5 tackles-for-loss in the first three games. Ford has one TD catch and logged the second-most snaps (144) among Alabama tight ends.
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Alabama's unavailable players are notable. Coleman-Williams leads Alabama with 23 receptions, 415 yards and four TDs. Green has four tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks. Delgatty's injury could be the most significant for the Vols because they'll attack Alabama's interior offensive line with disruptive defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam and others.
Mal Waldrep Jr. is expected to be Alabama's center with Delgatty out. Waldrep has taken 150 snaps at left guard in four games in 2026, allowing three pressures and one sack.
Tennessee football injury report
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OL Wendell Moe (out for season, lower leg)
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DB Dylan Lewis (out for season, foot)
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S Edrees Farooq (out for season, knee)
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TE Ethan Davis (out for season, knee)
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KR/WR Joakim Dodson (out for season, leg)
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LB Jaedon Harmon (out for season, knee)
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CB Jadais Richard (out for season, upper-body)
Alabama football injury report
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TE Josh Ford (game-time decision)
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C Racin Delgatty (out)
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WR Ryan Coleman-Williams (out)
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LB Desmond Umeozulu (out)
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LB Cayden Jones (out)
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DB Nick Sherman (out)
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DL Jeremiah Beaman (out)
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DL Terrance Green (out)
How SEC availability report works
The SEC student-athlete availability report was introduced in the 2024 season for conference games only.
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The initial report is released on Wednesday of an SEC game week, with daily updates leading to a final report 90 minutes prior to kickoff of a Saturday game.
Prior to game day, players are designated by their school as available, probable, questionable, doubtful or out for the upcoming game. On game day, they are designated as available, game-time decision or out.
Here's what those designations mean:
• 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 must accurately designate players' participation status. If the school has knowledge that a player may not be able to participate in the upcoming game for any reason (injury, illness, suspension, ineligibility or personal matter), it must report it.
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Failure to do so will subject schools to potential penalties ranging from $25,000 for a first offense to $100,000 for a third and further offenses.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon available; Alabama key players out
