David Sanders injury update: Surprising news emerges on Tennessee freshman vs. Syracuse

Tennessee freshman offensive tackle David Sanders is not expected to play against Syracuse during Week 1. He was injured during practice this week, but “should be back soon,” according to Volquest’s Austin Price.

Sanders was seen in sweatpants and a hoodie with his jersey over it on the sideline ahead of the opening kickoff. However, his injury was not specified and he wasn’t sporting any visible brace or anything related.

JUST IN: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Freshman OT David Sanders isn’t expected to play today after getting banged up in practice this week. Should be back soon I’m told. pic.twitter.com/DySVKmnlOX

— Austin Price (@AustinPriceless) August 30, 2025

Sanders was a top-10 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class, and arguably the crown jewel of Tennessee’s 2025 cycle. A Five-Star Plus+ recruit, he was the No. 9 overall recruit and No. 2 overall offensive tackle out of Charlotte, NC.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder was named to the 2025 On3 True Freshman Preseason All-America Team ahead of the 2025 season. He’ll figure to be a mainstay of the Volunteers’ offensive line once he’s healthy.

However, with no specific timetable for his return, it’s unclear we he’ll exactly return. Whether that’s next week for the matchup against ETSU, or the SEC opener against No. 5 Georgia during Week 3. It goes without saying they’ll want his services to return in time for the latter.

Sanders has been with the program since January, arriving in Knoxville as an early enrollee and has made his presence known ever since. He came to the program with a horde of accolades as well.

Before ever arriving on campus, Sanders was named the 2023 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Providence Day (NC) School to three straight NCISAA state championships. He was also 2024 finalist for Mr. Football in the state of North Carolina — a tough feat for an offensive lineman — by multiple publications.

According to his Tennessee player profile, Sanders graded at 93 percent and did not allow a sack as he led his school to yet another state title game. He ultimately committed to the Vols in Aug. 2024, choosing to play for head coach Josh Heupel and his Tennessee squad over dozens and dozens of other schools.

He’ll be on the sidelines for the season opener, however, which is set for Noon ET as a part of the 2025 Aflac Kickoff series against the Syracuse Orange. His Volunteers are a 13.5-point betting favorite over their opposition, and the over/under is set at 51.5 total points. The game will be played on a neutral site on Atlanta, inside the Mercedez-Benz Stadium.