UFL 2024: Five things to watch for in Week 4

One of the frontrunners for the UFL’s MVP race will be out for an extended period. 

The San Antonio Brahmas announced this week that breakout quarterback Chase Garbers is headed to IR with a wrist injury. Garber will miss at least the next five weeks but could return by season’s end if his injury heals.

Through three games, Garbers completed 70.8% of his passes for 586 yards and a league-leading six touchdown passes and just one interception, leading the Brahmas to a 2-1 record to start the season.

With Garbers out, Quinten Dormady is slated to get his first start of the season.  "He [has] played with the first team throughout training camp, so we feel good about him going in," head coach Wade Phillips said about Dormady. "He’s got a big arm. He’s got the capability of throwing the deep ball for touchdowns, and we’re going to see that this week."

The Brahmas also signed Kevin Hogan to add depth to the quarterback room.

San Antonio hosts the Michigan Panthers (2-1) as part of a three-game slate Saturday (7 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). The DC Defenders (2-1) face the undefeated Birmingham Stallions in the other game on FOX (7 p.m. ET).

Kicking things off Saturday, the St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1) host the Memphis Showboats (1-2) at 12:30 p.m. ET, and the Arlington Renegades (0-3) take on the Houston Roughnecks (0-3) in the lone game Sunday (2 p.m. ET on FS1).

Here are five things to watch for in Week 4's slate of games: 

1. A return for Roughnecks RB Mark Thompson ?

Houston head coach Curtis Johnson hopes to get a big boost on offense with the potential return of his star running back.

The reigning USFL Offensive Player of the Year, Thompson finished with 653 rushing yards and a league-best 14 touchdowns in