Speedy receiver Jahcour Pearson led the XFL in receiving yards last season. (Photo courtesy: Associated Press)
Jason Barnes
Staff Writer
St. Louis Battlehawks fans received some exciting news and a bit of disappointing news this week, when it was announced that free agent signee wide receiver Jahcour Pearson was activated from the inactive list and would begin practicing with the team, in hopes that he might be able to play in Saturday’s game against Memphis Showboats.
To make room for Pearson on the 50-man roster, the Battlehawks had to release Jeff Thomas, a former local high school star at East St. Louis. Thomas played college ball at Miami and played last season in the USFL with the Pittsburgh Maulers and Birmingham Stallions. He joined the Battlehawks this season, but hadn’t played in any of the three games before he was waived this week.
“Jeff has done an excellent job and we’re just loaded at receiver,” Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht said. “It’s just a tough deal. Jahcour will be ready to rock’n’roll, and I’m excited about him. He’s just another piece to the puzzle. It’s a good problem to have.”
That good problem became a great problem when Pearson, who led the XFL in receiving yards last season returned from a knee injury he suffered during training camp. Pearson’s return doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play on Saturday, but the Battlehawks are hopeful and have expressed nothing but excitement regarding his return.
“We’ll work through the week but he’ll be practicing,” Becht said. “We’ll see how these next couple of days go and make that decision toward the end of the week.”
Pearson made 60 catches for 670 yards and had 32 for first downs for the Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023. He was named to the All-XFL team.
The Seattle team wasn’t selected as one to be a part of the new United Football League — the eight-team merger between the XFL and USFL. So that made Pearson a free agent.
St. Louis jumped at the chance to sign him and add him to its already dynamic receiving corps, which features Marcell Ateman (the UFL leader in receiving yards), Hakeem Butler (last year’s XFL leader in catches and receiving touchdowns), and Darrius Shepherd (a dynamic speedster and return man, who was the XFL Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023).
Pearson adds another dynamic to the passing game, giving them another deep threat who can use his speed like Shepherd. One of the top passing offenses in the UFL is about to get better.
The Battlehawks-Showboats game will kick off Week 4 of the UFL schedule. Saturday’s game at The Dome at America’s Center is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be televised nationally on ABC.