Coming off an impressive 44-26 win over the Columbus Aviators in Week 2, the DC Defenders went to work on adding some much-needed depth at wide receiver.
Last week, the Defenders had to place one of their top receivers, Seth Williams, on IR after getting hurt in the Week 1 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks. According to the UFL Communication Department's X page, DC has signed wide receiver Javon Antonio to replace Williams on the roster.
Antonio was on the Defenders last year as he caught 18 passes for 212 yards in nine games. He was selected by DC during the draft in January, but did not make the final roster.
Defenders replace Seth Williams with Javon Antonio
This was a move DC needed to make to give quarterback Jordan Ta'amu another weapon to throw to in the passing game. The Defenders already have top guys like Ty Scott, Cornell Powell, and Keke Coutee.
It's been a relatively quiet start to the season for the Defenders in the passing department. Through two games, Ta'amu has thrown for just 222 yards and one touchdown to three interceptions with only 27 pass attempts.
The hope is that Antonio can give the Defenders another weapon to have when throwing the football and give DC the confidence to go to the passing game. What has helped DC is running back Deon Jackson and the rest of the backs running the ball well for the Defenders, as they are coming off a 230-yard performance on the ground, with 97 of them from Jackson.
DC is sitting at 1-1 on the season and will play at home for the first time this season in Week 3, facing the Houston Gamblers at Audi Field.