On March 30, Deonte Brown started at left guard for the Birmingham Stallions in their season-opening match. The former Alabama lineman suffered an ankle injury six snaps into the game against the Arlington Renegades, and he hasn’t played since.
However, Brown will be able to play again when the Stallions play the Michigan Panthers at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday at 2 p.m. CDT in the United Football League playoffs.
The Stallions will have to proceed without left offensive tackle Christian DiLauro, who was placed on injured reserve as Brown was being substituted this week, even though Brown will be available for the postseason.
According to the Stallions’ depth chart, Matt Kaskey will start at left tackle and Brown will be Derwin Gray’s backup at left guard for Saturday’s match. During the regular season, Kaskey started two games at left tackle and two at right tackle.
There are other players returning for Birmingham on Saturday besides Brown. JoJo Tillery, a safety, is back after missing the previous five games. Tillery was a mainstay of the Stallions’ two USFL championship teams and started the first five games of this season.
After missing last week’s regular-season finale, a 20-19 victory over the Panthers, cornerback Nevelle Clarke, linebacker DeMarquis Gates, and running back Ricky Person Jr. may also start for Birmingham on Saturday.
After missing the trip to Birmingham last week, Michigan is anticipating that wide receiver Marcus Simms and running back Matthew Colburn II will be fit for Saturday’s match.
Colburn leads the Panthers in rushing with 90 carries, 401 yards, and four touchdowns. With 426 yards on 23 receptions, Simms leads Michigan in receiving yards. He has three touchdowns to his credit.
Change-of-pace quarterback Bryce Perkins will not play for Michigan because he sustained an injury during his only series against the Stallions last week. However, E.J. Perry will be with the Panthers. On Saturday afternoon, the quarterbacks for the Panthers will be Danny Etling and the starter from Michigan’s first four games of the current campaign.
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