
Sadly, it’s all too common these days to hear of a talented young athlete suffering a season-ending training camp injury. The heartbreaking news is devastating for the player, the team, and the fans.
Daewood Davis
It’s especially upsetting in the case of Memphis Showboats wide receiver Daewood Davis who recently signed with the Carolina Panthers. Davis was carted off the field yesterday, suffering what appeared to be a thigh injury. Davis was a standout player for the Showboats this season earning All-UFL team honors with 41 receptions for 446 yards and five touchdowns.
Named to the All-UFL Team after the inaugural UFL season alongside fellow wide receivers Hakeem Butler and Marcus Simms, Davis was the very first UFL player signed to the NFL. After an outstanding season and playing his heart out for the struggling Showboats, Davis was thrilled at the opportunity to return to the NFL.
Davis signed with the Miami Dolphins a year ago. Sadly, that opportunity was cut short as a result of a brutal concussion suffered during a preseason game in August of 2023. Davis was released from the Dolphins with an injury settlement and went on to have his breakout season with the Showboats. Hopefully, the reported thigh injury is not serious and he will soon be ready to join the Panthers.
NFL Training Camp Injuries Could Lead to New Opportunities For UFL Stars
With the beginning of the second week of NFL training camp underway, the injuries are beginning to pile up. In week one, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mehki Blackmon suffered a torn ACL and is gone for the season. Denver Broncos’ Safety Justin Simmons has a hamstring injury and will likely miss a few weeks of the season.
In addition to injuries, training camp holdouts are an issue for some of the league’s biggest stars. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Dallas Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb, and New England Patriots OL Matthew Judon are noticeably absent from training camp with contract disputes. In another blow for the Carolina Panthers, newly signed Seattle Seahawks running back Rashad Penny announced his injured reserve /retired status.
Ultimately, these injuries, absences, and unexpected retirements could lead to additional signing opportunities for UFL standout stars. As history has shown with other spring football leagues, the UFL is a definite pathway to the NFL.
The latest signings include Birmingham Stallions quarterback and UFL league MVP Adrian Martinez who has a contract with the New York Jets. St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler and Michigan Panthers cornerback, Nate Brooks are now members of the Cincinnati Bengals. Not to be outdone by his fellow All-UFL team wide receivers, Marcus Simms is now with the Seattle Seahawks.
As of this writing, more than 26 UFL players have signed contracts with the NFL. Other UFL athletes are currently “working out” with several NFL teams during training camp. As we get closer to the start of the NFL season opener, expect more signings to be announced.