The D.C. Defenders return to the site of their last XFL games, take on the San Antonio Brahmas in their United Football League opener on Sunday
The San Antonio Brahmas played their last XFL game against the D.C. Defenders at the Alamodome, dropping a 29-28 decision in their regular-season finale last spring. The Defenders then lost the XFL championship game in the same stadium two weeks later. Both teams are in the new United Football League, a merger of the XFL and United States Football League that opened play this weekend. D.C. was 9-1 last season and return coach Reggie Barlow and quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. The Brahmas finished 3-7 and coach Hines Ward, with former longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips taking over the reins after the Houston Roughnecks didn’t make the cut in the merger.
How to Watch D.C. Defenders at San Antonio Brahmas in United Football League Today:
Game Date: March 31, 2024
Game Time: 12 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
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Ta’amu comes into the new league without his three top targets from 2023. Lucky Jackson and Chris Blair made good on NFL opportunities and Josh Hammond retired before training camp. Abram Smith, the XFL’s leading rusher last season, is out for the season after tearing his ACL in training camp. Defensively, ends Davin Bellamy and Trent Harris each were All-XFL picks.
San Antonio turns to quarterback Chase Garbers, who spent most of 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad before being added to the active roster for the final two games. The Brahmas added defensive lineman Caeveon Patton and linebacker Tavantae Beckett to a strong defensive unit anchored by All-XFL linebackers Jordan Williams and Delontae Scott.
Anthony McFarland Jr. is the top running back for the Brahmas after spending the last four seasons as a practice squad/backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cam’Ron Harris gets the first shot as the feature back for D.C. with Smith sidelined.
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