The Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football lost more than a game on Saturday evening. They also were eliminated from playoff contention and saw their new high profile quarterback go down with an injury. Johnny Manziel was ruled out of the game during the first quarter while making a tackle on a red zone interception we had thrown. Prior to that, he had completed two of three passes for 13 yards and averaged six yards on three carries.
The Orlando Apollos (7-1) erased a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to leave a rain-soaked Liberty Bowl with a 34-31 win and clinched home field advantage in the Eastern Conference Championship Game.
The Express fell to 2-6 with the loss.
Manziel, who signed with the AAF only two weeks ago, had come off the bench in both games played since then with Brandon Silvers starting. The Express have had a revolving door at signal caller with Christian Hackenberg and Zach Melltenberger both getting starts earlier in the campaign.
It remains to be seen if Manziel will be cleared to suit up for either of the team’s remaining two games of the season.
