St. Louis Battlehawks keeping door open for AJ McCarron (2024)

With an opportunity to clinch a spot in the United Football League playoffs, the St. Louis Battlehawks aren’t giving up on quarterback AJ McCarron playing on Sunday against the D.C. Defenders.

The former Alabama All-American sustained an ankle injury during the Battlehawks’ 30-26 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday.

“Right now, AJ came out yesterday, he threw the ball a little bit,” St. Louis coach Anthony Becht said on Thursday. “He’s such a competitor, a guy that we got to give him every single day to give him that opportunity. He’s feeling much better. He’ll go out today and see how it feels. We’re going to take it day-to-day and just see how it works and looks and try to make a decision when we feel certain about it, so we’re not going to rule anything until we get all the things we need to know.

“But AJ’s working his butt off to rehab, trying to get right and feel good, and so far that’s been really positive here the last couple of days.”

St. Louis’ other quarterbacks are Brandon Silvers and Manny Wilkins. Wilkins is in his second season with the Battlehawks. A former Gulf Shores High School and Troy standout, Silvers was the starter for the Houston Roughnecks last season.

Becht seemed to commit more to using both quarterbacks rather than either QB if McCarron misses Sunday’s game.

“All hands on deck,” Becht said. “For us, it’s all about flow, it’s all about feel, but we’ll see what happens. I don’t want to look too far ahead on anything. I want to stick with the plan and make sure all the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted before we really dive into the specifics. What I’ve told everybody is be ready to go and be able to execute the plan at a very high level.

“I’ve spoken very highly about all three quarterbacks throughout the year. I’ve always spoken highly about the fact that I feel like we have three starting quarterbacks on our roster. And blessed to have that. It’s difficult to find offensive linemen. It’s difficult to find consistent quarterback play. Like I said, I’m excited. Whatever’s out there, we’ll be ready to go and perform at a high level.”

McCarron has completed 154-of-231 passes for 1,467 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. The former St. Paul’s Episcopal standout has more four touchdown passes than any other player in the United Football League.

Becht said the offense wouldn’t change if McCarron’s backups get in the game, although the play calls might.

“We expect them to run our system,” Becht said. “Now they do all have certain tangible assets that are different. Manny’s got a little bit more movement skills, but he is a pocket passer. We utilize everybody’s skill set accordingly. Brandon Silvers is a pocket guy. He’s not going to move. He’s going to be precise. He’s going to read coverages pre-snap, and he’s going to have a plan so that he doesn’t get into that trouble that can happen in the later seconds of sitting in the pocket.”

The Battlehawks play the Defenders at 11 a.m. CDT Sunday at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. ABC will televise the game.

The Battlehawks and San Antonio Brahmas enter Week 8 of the UFL season with 5-2 records, tied at the top of the XFL Conference, although St. Louis defeated San Antonio 31-24 on April 14. The teams will square off in the regular-season finale on June 1.

The Defenders have a 3-4 record, and with the Brahmas playing the 1-6 Arlington Renegades on Sunday, likely need to beat St. Louis to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at@AMarkG1.