D.C. Defenders Stay Busy with Roster Cuts Looming
Since the start of UFL training camp over a week ago, the D.C. Defenders have made a total of seven different roster transactions.
The latest set of moves see the Defenders officially welcome back 2023 sack leader Davin Bellamy, place tight end Shaun Beyer on injured reserve and sign former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mike Harley Jr.
Bellamy, 29, was an All-XFL team player in 2023, a year after being an All-USFL team member for the New Orleans Breakers. The 6-foot-5, 234-pound Georgia native has been among the best defensive players in the spring.
The United Football League has announced the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/XZiA6FewCS
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) March 5, 2024
Beyer signed with the Defenders in late January after playing with the Arlington Renegades last season. The former Iowa alum injured his meniscus and will be out for the rest of the UFL season. Beyer's injury opens a more straightforward path for former New York Giants tight end Kaden Smith to make D.C.'s opening-day roster.
Harley is the latest player to join the UFL after spending time with an NFL team in 2023. The league now has 133 players with that distinction. The former Miami Hurricane speedster had been with the Cleveland Browns since going undrafted in 2022, spending his rookie campaign on the Browns practice squad and signing a futures deal in the offseason before being let go at final cuts last summer.
Harley has been on D.C.'s radar since last winter before the XFL 2023 began, so even though he is a late arrival and is joining a crowded receiving room that recently added NFL veteran Keke Coutee, Harley can stick because of his talents as a deep threat and kick returner.
UFL teams will officially announce their first wave of cuts from 75 to 58 players on March 10. All squads will then be required to pare down to 50 for the regular season nearly two weeks later on March 23.
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.