UFL 2024: Five things to watch for in Week 5

At 2-2 and sitting in second place in the USFL conference, the Michigan Panthers made a change at quarterback this week.

Starting quarterback E.J. Perry was placed on injured reserve with a leg injury, meaning he will miss at least the next five weeks. In his place, Danny Etling will get the start when the Panthers hit the road to face the Memphis Showboats (1-3) in a game that will be shown Sunday on FOX at 3 p.m. ET.

Etling took over for an injured Perry in the second half of Michigan's loss to the San Antonio Brahmas last week, completing 11 of 14 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.

"I've got a lot of confidence in Danny," Panthers head coach Mike Nolan said. "If Danny's got to take over for a little bit at the helm while E.J. gets well, then that's what we'll do." 

The Panthers signed former Los Angeles Rams QB Bryce Perkins, adding depth behind Etling. 

Michigan's matchup with Memphis is part of three games scheduled for FOX this weekend. On Saturday, the Arlington Renegades (0-4), still looking for their first win, host the Brahmas (3-1), while the Houston Roughnecks (1-3) face the undefeated Birmingham Stallions (4-0). Both games take place at 7 p.m. ET.

And on Sunday, the St. Louis Battlehawks (3-1) hit the road to face the DC Defenders (2-2), a noon kickoff on ESPN.

Here are five storylines to watch for in Week 5 as we reach the midpoint of the UFL season:

1. Stallions face the last team to beat them in the Roughnecks

Birmingham is riding an 11-game winning streak dating back to last season. But the Stallions face the last team to beat them on the road Saturday in the Roughnecks.

Houston defeated the Stallions 27-20 in a Week 5 contest in Birmingham last year. Houston running back Mark Thompson was the