'It hurt too bad to grip the ball' - 5-star Vols QB commit Faizon Brandon details the injury that kept him from playing this week

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 1:39 PM ET

2026 five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, a Tennessee Vols commit, is expected to miss several weeks due to an injury to his throwing hand.

Brandon led Grimsley High to a big season-opening win against West Charlotte but was sidelined this past Friday for the Whirlies' game against West Forsyth.

The Greensboro, NC native is reportedly dealing with a "ligament issue" in his hand, but it's not expected to be a longterm problem.

CLEMMONS — 5-star QB Faizon Brandon is not playing for #1 Grimsley tonight against #11 West Forsyth. It’s a ligament issue in his hand that is not considered to be a long term problem. @HighSchoolOT pic.twitter.com/dslI5VMDcb
— Joel Bryant - HighSchoolOT (@JoelBryantHSOT) August 29, 2025

Brandon spoke with the Winston-Salem Journal this past Friday night and he shared some insight on his injury.

"It was the last play of the West Charlotte game," explained Brandon when asked when the injury happened. "When I scored, it happened when I landed on the ground...I found out Tuesday after practice (that he wouldn't be playing against West Forsyth). I was trying to wrap it up and stuff, but it just hurt too bad to grip the ball. I wasn't able to play."

"I'm really just working it out and seeing what we're going to do right now," added Brandon when asked if surgery is an option.

Called His Own Number

Navy All-American Faizon Brandon (@faizon_brandon) scores a game-winning touchdown in OT.#GoVols #NavyAAB @AmericasNavy

pic.twitter.com/8GdiBGN0a2
— Navy All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) August 23, 2025

Grimsley head coach Daryl Brown told WXII's Chris Petersen on Friday that Brandon will be out "several weeks".

@grimsleyfb quarterback and #1 recruit Faizon Brandon will not start tonight @WestForsythFB coach Daryl Brown says he will be out several weeks pic.twitter.com/2zK1kPuBYC
— Chris Petersen (@Photogxii) August 29, 2025

It doesn't sound like this is an injury that should linger for Brandon, but it's still something worth monitoring over the next few weeks.

Brandon is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. He's been committed to Tennessee for over a year.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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