First Wave of Cuts for San Antonio Brahmas Includes Former NFL Running Back

Originally posted on FanNation UFL | By Anthony Miller | Last updated 3/12/24

San Antonio Brahmas head coach Wade Phillips had the tough mission of taking over a roster he did not create, having only about two months to put it all together before training camp. Now he has that training camp roster down to 56 players.

On Sunday, the Brahmas released 19 players ahead of the second half of training camp:

K Matt Ammendola
WR Dieuly Aristilde
DE Drew Beesley
DE Kwabena Bonsu
DT Trey Botts
OL Michael Brown
WR Cody Chrest
LB Omari Cobb
OL Connor Davis
CB Benjie Franklin
C Evan Heim
DE Jason Lewan
CB Ryan Lewis
CB Mac McCain III
LB Ryan Mueller
LB Marvin Pierre
RB Jaylen Samuels
CB Vernon Scott
WR Kade Warner

Looking at the top of the list, Ammendola is a bit of a surprise as he has plenty of NFL experience, including the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans. This leaves the door open for YouTube star Donald De La Haye, or “Deestroying," to win the kicker job for the Brahmas.

Today, the San Antonio Brahmas set their roster to 56 players, as they prepare for the upcoming inaugural UFL season. pic.twitter.com/SvT0VkIWsV
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) March 10, 2024

Beesley was a surprise release after a strong 2023 campaign in the XFL with San Antonio in which he posted 27 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Beesley may not have been a fit in Phillips’ defense, but he is one of the best pass rushers in the UFL, nonetheless. He could be a name to watch out for in free agency.

Samuels might have had some stiff competition at running back, but with his NFL experience, most assumed he had a good shot at making the roster. He has rushed for a total of 468 yards and one score to go with 564 receiving yards and four more touchdowns in his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. Now the running back room consists of Brycen Alleyne, John Lovett and Anthony McFarland Jr.

UFL teams will need to make final roster cutdowns on March 23.

This article first appeared on FanNation UFL and was syndicated with permission.

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