Fourteen Battlehawks earned NFL opportunities this past iteration of the XFL season. However, as NFL training camp comes to a close and week one begins on Thursday September 7th, let’s take a look at how the Battlehawks did when the dust settled and NFL teams finalized their rosters/practice squads.
Who Got Cut:
Out of the 14 players to earn NFL opportunities from St. Louis, Mike Rose, Carson Wells, Kevin Atkins, Lavert Hill, Nate Meadors, Gary Jennings, Elijah Hamilton, and Lukas Denis all were waived from their respective NFL teams come “cut” day. While players like Darrius Shepherd, and Hakeem Butler were waived due to injuries both players went through waivers are no longer on their team’s injured reserve list.
After surviving the initial wave of cuts, Brian Hill was also waived in favor of Kicker Matthew Wright on September 4th. Hill who was one of the Battlehawks most consistent Offensive performers is also a St. Louis native, playing his high school ball at Belleville West (IL), before attending Wyoming. All players released will have their rights retained by the Battlehawks for 2024.
Who Made It?
Marcell Ateman, Jaryd Jones-Smith, and LaCale London all found themselves on NFL practice squads. All Three return to the NFL, after cups of tea in the NFL and look to build on the momentum they’ve gained while playing for the Battlehawks in the XFL.
What’s Next?
With the Battlehawks continuing to build their roster in the offseason, Dave Boller and Anthony Becht now have an additional Eleven players that may be on the table for a possible return to the XFL. With multiple NFL teams still reconfiguring their rosters, it is entirely possible for many of these players to continue jumping on various practice squads throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Regardless, of the end the end result and wherever the Battlehawks alumni end up, the fact that Becht’s staff could assist in helping 14 players chase after their NFL dream is an impressive feat in itself. With the XFL continuing to progress and push forward towards the 2024 season, look for the league to continue to allow players an opportunity to showcase their skills and chase their dreams.
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curt kassinger
September 5, 2023 at 2:54 pm
I think it’s great for these players, but it will hurt fans. it’s hard to bond with a team that changes so drastically every year. do those cut come back to the battlehawks, or do they become free agents. I see trouble with attendance if fans can’t bond with players fir fear of losing them all the time.