As the Birmingham Stallions try to defend their USFL championship, they will have to do so without the quarterback who led them to that title last season.
On Wednesday night, the Stallions announced they had placed starting quarterback J’Mar Smith on injured reserve after he injured his left (non-throwing) ring finger in the second quarter of Birmingham’s win over the New Jersey Generals. Smith will be out for the rest of the season.
Before the injury, Smith was 10-of-15 (66.7%) for 160 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Fortunately, the Stallions can turn to backup QB Alex McGough, who didn’t miss a beat while filling in for the injured Smith. Coming off the bench, McGough went 7-of-11 (63.6%) for 68 yards and a touchdown.
In the 27-10 win, McGough also showed off his legs as he led the team in rushing with 51 yards, including that impressive 29-yard scamper.
McGough will make his first start of the season on April 22 against the Memphis Showboats.
Interestingly, McGough entered last season as Birmingham’s starting QB, but when he was injured in the 2022 season opener, Smith took over the job. Now, the roles are reversed.
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