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July 29, 2022

NAL Injury Report: NAL Playoffs
Four Teams Enter Elimination Games

ATLANTA – The National Arena League enters an exciting 2022 NAL Playoff Week where four teams have earned the chance to compete for a shot at a NAL Championship Appearance. The Orlando Predators and San Antonio Gunslingers did not finish in the top four of the NAL standings and will not compete this week in the playoffs. The Albany Empire (8-4), Carolina Cobras (9-5), Columbus Lions (7-5), and Jacksonville Sharks (7-7) each will play this Saturday. Winners will advance to the NAL Championship, losers will be eliminated. The Albany Empire secured the #1 seed and will host the #4 Jacksonville Sharks at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY on Saturday, July 30th with kickoff at 7pm. The Carolina Cobras earned the #2 seed and will face the Columbus Lions at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, Carolina. They will also play Saturday night with kickoff at 7pm. All four teams have reported injuries this week. All games can be watched directly on the National Arena League website home page. You can also watch the games live on the NAL YouTube Channel.

Check out our full injury report for the NAL Playoffs below.

Albany Empire (8-4)

This will be the defending NAL Champions second playoff game in the NAL after they defeated the Cobras last year to advance to the NAL Championship. The Albany fan base and football team will hope to do the same to the Jacksonville Sharks (7-7) who have a history of playing in big playoff games. Coach Menas reported the following injuries.

WR/DB - Marquel Wade, Jaw (Probable)

Carolina Cobras  (9-5)

The Cobras look to win this weekend to advance to their third championship game in four seasons. To do so they will have to defeat a difficult opponent the Columbus Lions (7-5). A Cobra win and an Albany loss would not only advance the Cobras to the big game but allow them to host the championship.

DB - Cris Page, (Placed on Injured Reserve)

DB - Mike Green, Shoulder (Placed on Injured Reserve)

QB - Jonathan Bane, Knee (Probable)

DB - Michaeux Robinson, Hand (Out)

QB - Tommy Grady, Leg (Placed on Injured Reserve)

DB - Jeremiah Stovall - (Questionable)

Columbus Lions (7-5)

The only team to play in every NAL playoff weekend returns. Jason Gibson and the Lions aim to upset the highly favored Carolina Cobras (9-5)  in the Snake Pit. It will be a heavy task but the Lions have proven to it in the past as the Lions this season are 2-1 against the Carolina Cobras this season. See injury report from Coach Gibson below.

WR/LB - Deandre Brown,  (Questionable)

QB - Damian Daniels, (Questionable) 

Jacksonville Sharks (7-7)

The Sharks will need to Shark the top seed Empire (8-4) to advance to their third NAL Championship in team history. To do so they will need as many healthy hands on deck as the Empire are 4-2 in the MVP arena this year. See coach Burley’s full injury report. 

OL/DL - Faleoga Russell, Ankle & Chest (Probable)

WR - Nyqwan Murray, Ankle (Probable)

QB - Arvell Nelson, Ankle (Probable)

FB/LB - Anthony Johnson, Toe (Active)

WR/LB - Kavon Gardner, Shoulder (Out)

ABOUT NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE 

The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com . For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com, facebook.com/nationalarenaleauge, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague