To kick off Week 5 of the 2026 UFL season, the Orlando Storm and Birmingham Stallions executed a trade. That trade sent the Storm's backup quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, to the Birmingham Stallions in exchange for the Stallions' former starting quarterback, Matt Corral. However, that trade also included the Storm receiving Birmingham starting defensive lineman Amani Bledsoe. The rationale for including Bledsoe in the trade was initially unclear. However, Storm head coach Anthony Becht said Orlando requested Bledsoe due to an injury to Storm defensive lineman Willie Yarbary. As teams practice for Week 5 and update injury reports, it has been confirmed that Yarbary sustained a significant injury. The latest UFL press release states that the Storm have placed Yarbary on Injured Reserve, sidelining him for at least 4 games.
Termination Via Waiver System:
Houston
CB, Carlton Johnson
Louisville
G, Nash Jensen
RB, Benny Snell
T, Leroy Watson
St. Louis
ILB, Tariq Carpenter
Moved to Reserve/Injured:
Dallas
OLB, Andrew Dowell
Orlando
DT, Willie Yarbary— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) April 22, 2026
Upgrading from Willie Yarbary to Amani Bledsoe marks a major boost for the Orlando Storm's defensive line. In the first four games of the 2026 UFL season, Yarbary had only 2 solo tackles and 2 assists. Bledsoe, on the other hand, registered 6 solo tackles, 7 assists, and 1.0 quarterback sacks. Bledsoe's addition should boost the Orlando Storm's already top-ranked UFL defense. The Storm are coming off a shutout win over the Birmingham Stallions in Week 4. Their defensive line will be even stronger as they face the Saint Louis Battlehawks. With the timing of the Yarbary injury and the trade, the Storm emerge as big winners against Birmingham.
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