Manziel injured in Express loss to Apollos

Memphis quarterback pulled from game for concussion protocols

From the Alliance of American Football www.aaf.com Johnny Manziel was knocked out of his second game with the American Alliance of Football’s Memphis Express after taking a knee to the head in the Express’ 34-31 loss to the Orlando Apollos at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Manziel ran for 18 yards, completed two of his three passes, and threw a touchdown that was called back for offensive pass interference before sustaining the head injury. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Manziel was drafted by the Cleveland Browns 22nd overall in the 2014 NFL Entry Draft. After the 2015 season came to a close, the Browns cut ties with Manziel when they found out he was being investigated for a domestic violence incident with his ex-girlfriend.

The 26-year-old was then released from the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in February after violating the terms of his contract with the team. Not long after, he found himself signing a contract with the AAF.

Things don’t seem to be getting any easier for the former Texas A& M standout. Though showing some early success with the Express, this latest injury could have been the last shot for Manziel to reestablish himself in the professional football scene.

Memphis will finish the inaugural AAF season on the road, and a losing record seems to preclude any hopes for the postseason for the Express, meaning the team will have no more home games this season.

As for a potential next season. The majority owner of the Alliance of American Football says that league is in danger of folding without help from the National Football League Players Association.

Tom Dundon, who became the AAF’s chair- man last month, said in a recent interview that the NFLPA is not cooperating with the AAF by refusing to allow the first-year league to use young NFL players.

“If the players union is not going to give us young players, we can’t be a development league,” Dundon told USA Today Sports. “We are looking at our options, one of which is discontinuing the league.”

Unsigned NFL players, including practice-squad players, are free to join the AAF at any time. But the AAF would need the NFLPA’s cooperation to acquire a practice-squad player who currently is signed to a futures contract with an NFL team.

Dundon, who also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, made a $250 million investment in the AAF last month after the league reportedly was in danger of not making payroll.

The eight-team AAF, billed as a development league, kicked off the weekend following the Super Bowl. The league is eight games into its 10game regular season.

Memphis quarterback Johnny Manziel had to be pulled from the game this weekend after suffering a concussion making a tackle following an interception.

Photo courtesy of AAF