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Injuries Sting Tuskers Defense Again

October 19, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - TUESDAY, Oct. 19, 2010 - For the 4th time in as many games, the Florida Tuskers will once again line-up a defense missing several key pieces when they take on the Sacramento Mountain Lions on Thursday night.

Starting middle linebacker Tim McGarigle underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his thumb. He tore the ligament in an Oct. 9 win over Hartford but played the entire game with the injury. It was his first game back after missing the Las Vegas game on Sept. 30 with a concussion.

"It's a weird injury. Tim finished the Hartford game with it, but our team physicians said it was something that had to be fixed or he would risk possible permanent damage to it," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "We're hoping he will return in a couple of weeks and be able to play with a soft cast, but that's a wait and see thing for now."

With McGarigle out, second-year player Tim Schlegel will get the start at middle linebacker on Thursday night.

The defense took another shot when defensive tackle Langston Moore went down during practice on Sunday. The injury has been diagnosed as a torn biceps muscle and he will be placed on injured reserve.

Moore was a regular part of the Tuskers defensive rotation and had played in all four games.

The Tuskers signed defensive tackle Carlton Powell to take Moore's spot in the rotation. Powell was a fifth round draft pick (148 overall) out of Virginia Tech by the Denver Broncos in 2008. He spent time in training camp and on the practice squads of Denver (2008 and 2009), Cleveland (2009) and Tampa Bay (2009-10). With the Hokies, Moore played in 53 games - recording 107 total tackles with 21 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 quarterback sacks.

To make room for Powell on the roster, the Tuskers released rookie defensive back Corey Small. Florida signed Small on Oct. 8 as a replacement for DB Fahkir Brown, who was placed on injured reserve (neck).

To replace Moore on the roster, the Tuskers also signed NFL veteran defensive back Cletis Gordon. A former Jackson State standout, Gordon played four years in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers (2006-08) and Dallas Cowboys (2009). Gordon played in 31 games, making one start. His stats included 29 total tackles with three pass defenses.

In one additional move, the Tuskers waived back-up left guard Fred Matua. To replace Matua, Florida signed former Wake Forest standout Steve Justice. A sixth round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2008, Justice (6-4, 284) played professionally for the Colts (2008), New York Sentinels (2009), and Carolina Panthers (2010). He played in eight games and made one start for the Colts in 2008.



United Football League Stories from October 19, 2010


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