The Houston Gamblers announced Wednesday night that safety Manny Bunch was placed on the inactive roster list while two players were signed to the team.
Houston made the post on Twitter Wednesday night with the Bunch news as well as the additions of running back Benny LeMay and defensive end Andrew Ankrah.
Manny Bunch Out
Losing Manny Bunch for what seems to be the remainder of the season is a tough blow to a defense that finally showed signs of life in their 13-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Bunch played in all eight games for the Houston Gamblers recording 35 tackles and one pass deflection. He was key in stopping the run and was one of the top tacklers in the secondary. His presence in the back half of the secondary will be felt.
The team will be turning to Alijah Holder and Andrew Soroh to hold down the safety positions for the last two games of the season. Soroh has familiarity with the defense after being with the team the whole season so he should be an easy plug-and-play player. Holder has made an immediate impact since joining the team in week three contributing an interception and two pass deflections in six games.
Benny LeMay
Houston is getting a small, but versatile running back who could make an impact on the running and passing game. Benny LeMay was a go-to player for the Charlotte 49ers with two-1,000-yard seasons scoring 28 total touchdowns in four seasons at the school. Since leaving school, has bounced around NFL teams including Cleveland and Indianapolis.
This move is in direct response to starting running back Mark Thompson’s injury that kept him out of Sunday’s contest against Tampa Bay. There hasn’t been word on whether he will be returning to the lineup or if he will be out longer. It appears that the Gamblers are playing it safe and making sure they have the depth for whatever these last two weeks have to offer.
Andrew Ankrah
Andrew Ankrah knew just how to get to the quarterback during his college career and in the pros as well. Ankrah recorded 177 tackles, 26 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and four pass deflections in four seasons at James Madison. He spent a short time with the Washington Commanders in the NFL before making his mark in spring football.
His first stop was in the AAF with the Orlando Apollos where he recorded 15 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble during the 2019 season. After the AAF folded, he joined the St. Louis BattleHawks in the XFL recording 14 tackles and two seasons during the shortened five-game 2020 season. Ankrah would head north to play for the Edmonton Elks of the CFL last season recording a special teams tackle in one game. He did sign with the Montreal Alouettes back in March for a short time.
Houston has been focused on adding depth to the defensive line and linebacker position the past few weeks. Should Ankrah take the field, expect to see him on the outside rushing the passer as he has the ability to play both defensive end and outside linebacker.
