After playing many of their reserves in their week 10 victory vs the Defenders, the Battlehawks are down another Defensive standout on the Defensive Line. Chris Garrett who was the 2024 UFL Special Teams Player of the Year will be finishing his season on injured reserve after a hand injury in week 10. The Battlehawks who were not playing Travis Feeney, Pita Taumoepenu, and Austin Faoliu (after 20 snaps) forcing Garrett, Wells, and Kyler Baugh to shoulder the load during the final regular season game.
Garrett goes on IR after increasing his role in the Defensive Line rotation this year. The Division-II alum put together 29 tackles, 4 sacks, in addition to adding a blocked field goal against the Defenders this past weekend. He’ll be replaced Shaka Toney, and Mac McCain III for the final two weeks of the postseason.
McCain joins the Battlehawks after coming out of North Carolina A&T in 2021, McCain bounced around with the Broncos, Eagles, Lions, and Panthers even signing with the San Antonio Brahmas in January 2024. McCain was released by San Antonio in March 2024, going on to sign with the Saints before being released at final cuts. McCain has appeared in 2 NFL games recording 3 Tackles with the Eagles in 2021.
Toney is a 2021 7th round pick by the Washington Commanders whose appeared in 26 NFL games in his career. Toney has recorded 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks before a sports betting suspension took him out of the league for all of 2023. Toney was reinstated in April of 2024, before he was released and signed by the Dallas Cowboys before an injury forced his release from the team.
The Battlehawks still have one roster spot remaining and could be leaving it open for one of their defensive backs if needed. St. Louis is slated to take on the D.C. Defenders at home this Sunday in hopes of reaching their first championship. The Battlehawks clinched their second XFL Conference Championship and are currently 22-9 under Head Coach Anthony Becht.
