Post by David on Jun 24, 2016 12:12:20 GMT -8
Empire WR Carl Sims (Image Courtesy of Dan Byers)
6.24.16 -
The Spokane Empire have placed WR Carl Sims on the Season Ending Injured Reserve.
Sims (6'0", 190 lbs, Western Illinois) suffered a broken wrist in the Empire's 59-35 loss to the Sioux Falls Storm. His loss strikes a big blow to the Empire's offense which has struggled to recover from the loss of RB Trevor Kennedy, who suffered a broken leg three weeks ago.
The Empire signed Sims in early February to bring a veteran leadership to Spokane's wide receivers. Sims, an 8-year veteran in the IFL, has played the same number of seasons that the IFL has existed. He began his career with the Bloomington Extreme in 2009, recording 136 receptions for 1,724 yards and 11 touchdowns while contributing on special teams as a punt/kick returner. After a year in Bloomington, he played for Billings Outlaws in 2010 and won his first United Bowl championship.
He would add two more championship rings to his resume, playing for the Sioux Falls Storm from 2011-2012. In his first year with the Storm, Sims played in 8 games, recording 22 receptions for 420 yards and 12 touchdowns. The next season, Sims exploded on the field, catching 72 passes for 1,108 yards and 20 touchdowns en route to First Team All-IFL honors.
He would go on to play for the Cedar Rapids Titans from 2013-2015. In 27 games, Sims recorded 109 total receptions for 1,533 yards and 36 touchdowns, including First team All-IFL Honors during the 2013 season.
In 2015, Sims began the season as a member of the Titans, participating in 4 games and hauling in 9 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. In March 2015, he was traded to the expansion Billings Wolves, playing in 5 games and catching 18 passes for 280 yards and 5 touchdowns. Sims would not finish the season with the Wolves, eventually being traded to the Green Bay Blizzard. In 5 games in Green Bay, Sims recorded 35 receptions for 362 yards and 10 touchdowns. Between all the Titans, Wolves and Blizzard, Sims has a solid 2015 campaign with a total of 65 passes for 780 yards and 16 touchdowns.
In 2016, Sims was a major contribution to Spokane's success so far in 2016. He was leading the Empire in receiving with 71 receptions for 822 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Empire sign DB Sendish
DB Cassius Sendish (#33) against Texas (image courtesy of Nick Krug / KU Sports)
The movement of Sims wasn't the only transaction the Empire made on Friday. As the Spokane Empire hit the road for an 8 hour drive to Billings, Sims' vacated roster space was filled with the signing of DB Cassius Sendish to the active roster.
Sendish (6'0'', 195 lbs, Kansas), a safety out of Waldorf, Md will get his first taste of IFL action on Saturday when Spokane plays Billings in the regular season finale. He played his junior and senior seasons as a member of the Jayhawks, playing in a total of 24 games and recording 137 total tackles (104 which were solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 4 passes defended, and a fumble recovery. In 2014, he was awarded the KU Nolan Cromwell Award for being the player who exemplified the most leadership. He also was listed on the Big 12's Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in his two terms at Kansas.
Sendish transferred to Kansas in 2013, after he spent the 2012 season at Arizona Western College (Yuma, AZ). He played in 8 games with the Matadors, recording 29 total tackles (16 solo), 3 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups, earning ACCAC All-Region & All-Conference Honors. Prior to transferring to Arizona Western, he played his freshman season at the College of the Canyons (Santa Clara, CA).
Roster Freeze
On Tuesday, June 28th, all 6 playoff bound teams (Billings, Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, Sioux Falls, Spokane, Wichita Falls) will be put into a "roster freeze." According to league rules, teams that are active in the playoffs will not be allowed to sign new players to their active roster for the rest of the season. Any players that are on Injured Reserve, Refuse to Report, or the Other League Exempt lists will not be eligible for activation to the active roster.
- DKH
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