Going into Week Seven the Battlehawks made a couple changes to their roster prior to the final Four games of the season. While the team opted to place perennial All-UFL Guard Abdul Beecham on injured reserve, the team also opted to make a change at Wide Receiver. The Battlehawks released former 2nd-Round Pick Denzel Mims in favor of Sam Wiglusz a 2024 UDFA to the Rams.
Mims was considered one of Two big name signings for the Battlehawks this off-season. The 2020 2nd-Round Pick was expected to compliment All-XFL/UFL WR Hakeem Butler with his size, speed, and experience giving the Battlehawks another weapon in an experienced and talented Wide Receiver room. For Mims he never was able to find his footing whether it be playing time issue or the emergence of Blake Jackson getting more involved in the offense. Mims finds himself back on the market after appearing in Six games registering 5 receptions for 51 yards with St. Louis.
Replacing Mims is Sam Wiglusz out of the University of Ohio. Wiglusz was active for One game this year appearing on special teams for St. Louis against the Brahmas. He was released once Jerome Kapp was healthy and had garnered limited interest since. Wiglusz could compete with Kevon Latulas for special teams reps as St. Louis look to maximize their roster space.
The Battlehawks also placed Abdul Beecham on injured reserve sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season and possibly the playoffs. Beecham joins Brandon Sebastian, Manny Wilkins, and Chevan Cordiero as players sidelined this year. St. Louis has yet to make a corresponding move but it is possible the team brings back the versatile Eric Magwood to fill the position. Beecham has missed time this year, leading the way for Dohnavon West to make his first starts since 2023. The Battlehawks are also dealing with Juwann Bushell-Beatty nursing an injury as well.
St. Louis currently sits at 4-2 in second place in the XFL Conference. They’ll be going up against the Memphis Showboats this week who sit at 1-5 and are facing elimination under Head Coach Jim Turner, and QB Dresser Winn. With the final Four games having playoff implications, and injuries starting to mount up for all teams the Battlehawks are essentially in “playoff mode” now until they can guarantee their positioning for post-season play.
