DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris is certainly sending a message to the offensive line with yet another move being made on the roster.
First, the Defenders brought back 2025 All-UFL Team tackle Yasir Durant to the roster. To make room for him, DC made the tough decision to let right tackle Adrian Ealy go after just one game.
Ealy was listed as the backup right tackle in the Defenders' 16-10 Week 1 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks. He played the last two years on the Renegades' offensive line while also playing for five NFL teams in 2021 and 2022.
DC Defenders cut Adrian Ealy to make room for Yasir Durant
It's the unfortunate part of the business as Ealy didn't necessarily do anything wrong personally, but DC had to make room for Durant to get him on the roster. The Defenders have been hot and heavy with reworking the offensive line after quarterback Jordan Ta'amu took a beating with seven sacks delivered by the Battlehawks defense.
This will now open the door for Durant to take his spot back at left tackle and could either move Jaelyn Duncan to right tackle to replace Michael Tarquin or Duncan might end up being the swing backup tackle and play both left and right tackle. There's no doubt, though, Durant is needed back at left tackle to help protect the blindside of Ta'amu, which he did so well last year in helping the Defenders win the UFL title.
The hope is that this is all the moves the Defenders need to make as they try to get the pass protection taken care of. This in turn should help with the running game as well after just 73 yards and 3.2 yards per carry in last week's loss to the Battlehawks.
If things don't get better, DC could be in for more changes on the offensive line quickly with the season not being as long with nine game remaining.