NAL Injury Report: Week 4

Fans to Enjoy Three NAL Matchups this Week

The National Arena League enters week 4 with three weekend matchups across the league for fans to enjoy. The only undefeated team in the NAL the San Antonio Gunslingers (3-0) will enjoy a bye week this week. Kicking off the weekend the expansion Fayetteville Mustangs (1-1) will take on the (0-2) West Texas Warbirds in Odessa, TX with kickoff set for 7:30pm (CST). Sunday afternoon, fans have a double header with perhaps the game of the week (1-1) Albany Empire taking on the (1-1) Carolina Cobras in Greensboro, NC at 3pm (EST) along with the rivalry match between the (0-2) Orlando Predators and the (2-1) Jacksonville Sharks in Jacksonville kicking off at 4pm (EST). Below is our full injury report for the week. 

Fayetteville Mustangs (1-1) 

After two exciting weeks the Mustangs continue to showcase their playmakers on offense. Last week, the Sharks exposed that the defense in Fayetteville is beatable as the Sharks delivered the Mustangs their first loss in a high scoring 73-53 game. This week, the Mustangs look favorable even on the road with a West Texas team that hasn’t managed a win this season. However, the Warbirds may be looking to strike hard at home to get their first franchise win in the NAL. See below for Fayetteville’s injury report.

WR/LB - Julius Gregory (Out, Short-Term Injury Reserve)

West Texas Warbirds (0-2)

The Warbirds are ready to return to their home arena as a franchise known for winning in other leagues they still chase their first victory in the NAL and may find it this week against a wounded Mustangs team that allowed 73-points scored in week 3. This West Texas teams finds themselves with their backs are against the wall as their next two matchups are coming against top three opponents in the Albany Empire and San Gunslingers making this weeks game in Odessa appear like a must win matchup facing Fayetteville to avoid a potential 0-4 start to the Warbirds flight in the NAL. See Coach Tate Smith’s injury report below. 

DL - Accente Hill Jr. (Out, Short-Term Injury Reserve)

Albany Empire (1-1)

After a close game against San Antonio that led to a Albany loss, the Empire look to bounce back with a great matchup in Greensboro against the Carolina Cobras. A road victory this week would keep the Empire on track for defending their title as many teams rise to the challenge this season including a Carolina Cobra team that recovered a major weapon this week on both sides of the ball. See full injury report from Coach Ware. 

DB - Maurice Leggett (Out, Short-Term Injury Reserve)

Carolina Cobras (1-1)

Carolina is looking good going into week four. Last home game, the Cobras got their star LB/FB Zack Brown back while fans witnessed an amazing home opener with a game-winning deuce. This week the Cobras recovered their 2022 NAL Ironman of the Year WR/DB Dj Myers, a game-changing athlete who returns to the team after playing in the USFL. The move increases the chance of the Cobras staying undefeated in the snake pit. See Coach Fuller’s injury report below. 

WR/DB - Jalen Rima (Out)

WR/DB - Miles Kelly (Out)

Orlando Predators (0-2)

Coach Herky Walls looks to fight for his first victory as the Preds head coach and this week will have to do so against their rival the Jacksonville Sharks who seem to be swimming at full speed with their last victory coming from home. Don’t count Orlando out, the Predators entered their second game against the NAL champs with a battered roster filling past injury reports however, after some help from a bye week and a hard working medical staff the Predators look to be ready to go as they have only two injuries to report in week 4.

WR - Lonnie Outlaw (Out, Placed on Short-Term Injury Reserve)

WR/DB - Richy Anderson (Out, Placed on Short-Term Injury Reserve) 

Jacksonville Sharks (2-1)

After a rough start Shark Nation seems like they can breathe after a great road victory last week against a talented Fayetteville Mustang team. This week the Sharks aim for their first home win of 2023 and will face a winless rival ready to fight for their first victory this season. The battle for Florida kickoffs Sunday, see full Sharks injury report below.

Jacksonville has no new injuries to report.

WR/DB - Darien Townsend (Out, Season Ending Injury)

WR/LB - Khalil McCalin (Out, Season Ending Injury)

San Antonio Gunslingers (3-0)
The only undefeated team left in the National Arena League the Gunslingers look hot taking down tough opponents like Carolina, Jacksonville, and Albany all in stride as they enjoy a very rewarding bye week to rest & recover on the San Antonio riverfront as they return in week 5 to face the Fayetteville Mustangs on the road in North Carolina. Coach Shaw reported their only injury. 

OL/DL - Dante Angus (Questionable)

All games are available to watch online at nationalarenaleague.com or visit the National Arena league YouTube Channel.

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