Post by David on May 26, 2016 15:30:43 GMT -8
(image courtesy of eliteperform.com)
5.26.16 -
A day before their Intense Conference match-up with the Colorado Crush, the Spokane Empire announced the activation of kicker Pat Clarke from the Injured Reserve list.
Clarke (6'3'', 210 lbs, Buffalo University) becomes the sixth different kicker for the Empire, and seventh overall change at the position. He was signed to the active roster on September 29th, 2015, but suffered an injury prior to the Empire's first regular season game. Clarke was expected to return in 7 against the Iowa Barnstormers, but his recovery did not go as planned and he was placed on season ending injured reserve.
Many fans may wonder how a player can be re-activated off of season ending IR. According to the Empire's press release, a policy was changed in regard to injured reserve prior to the 2016 season that allows a team to active one player back to their active roster during the season.
During that time, Clarke has not been inactive. Recently, he has been a member of the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League. He played in one game for the Soul, converting 7 out of 10 extra point attempts in a 67-50 win over the Cleveland Gladiators on April 23rd.
Despite only playing 1 game for the Soul, Clarke is no stranger to the indoor game - he was the placekicker for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks of the PIFL. He converted 88% of his PAT attempts. According to the Empire's original September press release, Clarke was "flawless" on field goal tempts within 30 yards and converted a long of 46 during the season.
Beeson Released
(image courtesy of Gary Peterson Photography/Spokane Empire)
As a result of re-activating Clarke, the Empire released K Brady Beeson.
Beeson (6'2'', 215 lbs, University of St. Thomas) was re-signed last week to replace Steven Wakefield. Beeson was originally with the Empire in their Week 7 game against the Barnstormers, but suffered an injury in the 54-51 victory and was released the following week. In 2 games with the Empire, he was 9 of 12 on extra points, but 0-for-5 on field goals.
- DKH
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