Tennessee Lists Two Players as Questionable Against Arkansas

Tennessee will enter its Southeastern Conference road game against Arkansas with uncertainty surrounding two offensive players, as quarterback Faizon Brandon and running back Javin Gordon remained questionable on Friday night, October 9, according to the SEC availability report. The No. 15 Volunteers also listed seven players as out ahead of Saturday's matchup in Fayetteville.

Brandon continues to recover from a shoulder injury sustained against Texas on September 26, while Gordon has missed three consecutive games after hurting his knee against Georgia Tech. Tennessee has not announced a change to either player's status since the initial availability report.

According to the SEC's reporting schedule, the final game-day availability report will be released 90 minutes before the scheduled 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff. The game will air on the SEC Network.

With Brandon's availability unresolved, sophomore quarterback George MacIntyre is expected to start for Tennessee. He replaced Brandon during the second quarter of the Volunteers' 24-14 victory over Auburn and helped the team secure the win.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has declined to publicly identify his starting quarterback, maintaining uncertainty about the position ahead of the Arkansas game. During an appearance on The Mike Keith Show on Thursday night, host Mike Keith jokingly offered Heupel $20 to disclose the decision.

Heupel explained that knowing an opponent's personnel in advance helps coaches prepare their game plans and adjust their approach to different players.

"Any time as a coach, you know exactly what you're getting, who you're getting, the skill sets that you're facing – and it's at all positions, but certainly at that position, too – it allows you the luxury of being able to scheme throughout the course of the week in preparation," Heupel said.

The coach added that the identity of the starter affects play-calling and weekly preparation, leaving the final announcement until game day.

"There's going to be differences in how you call the game, differences in what you're practicing to face an opponent, so … find out Saturday," Heupel said.

Gordon's recovery has also required continued work away from game action. Tennessee running backs coach De'Rail Sims said the injured back has remained engaged in classroom work and continued developing his understanding of the team's offense.

"He's doing a good job in terms of in the classroom, kind of attacking this deal and continuing to learn and continuing to grow," Sims said after Tuesday's practice. "I think with him, it's continuing to be a day-by-day deal as we go through this deal and keep attacking it. The biggest deal with him is the mentality piece of it in terms of the mental game as we continue to keep rolling with it has continued to get better.

Sims also highlighted Gordon's ability to learn quickly while emphasizing the importance of refining the technical details required of a running back.

"He's a guy that's extremely smart. That's the thing that stands out to you is he's extremely smart, so for him, he picks up very fast, but it's always the intangible piece of it of my foot placement, my hand placement, my tracks, doing the things that we need to do. He's done a good job," Sims said.

Tennessee's Friday night availability report listed defensive lineman Kedric Golston II, offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr., defensive back Dylan Lewis, tight end Ethan Davis, linebacker Jaedon Harmon, wide receiver Joakim Dodson and defensive back Edrees Farooq as out against Arkansas.