Report: Vols QB Joey Aguilar has benign tumor removed

Field Level Media|published: Fri 2nd January, 12:17 2026

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) warm-ups before a NCAA football game between Tennessee Volunteers and New Mexico State Aggies at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 15, 2025.

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar had surgery Friday to remove a benign tumor from his throwing arm, NFL Network reported.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior played through arm weakness this season caused by the tumor pressing on his biceps tendon and labrum, per the report.

Aguilar, 24, whose condition had not been disclosed, reportedly will need at least eight weeks to recover from Friday's procedure.

Aguilar transferred to Knoxville after two seasons at Appalachian State and won the starting job for the 2025 season. In 13 games for the Volunteers (8-5), he completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 101 yards and four scores.

He passed for 121 yards and rushed for a touchdown in Tennessee's 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl on Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn.

--Field Level Media

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