Roster shake-up across the ELF after Week 8

As the European League of Football heads into Week 9, teams across all divisions are making big moves to strengthen their rosters. Injuries, underperformance, and strategic decisions have triggered a wave of signings and releases as franchises fight for playoff spots or look to turn struggling seasons around.

North Division

Rhein Fire

Even before Week 8, Rhein Fire was busy signing new players, adding Americans Chauncey Moore and Mark Pope. But more changes came this week. Outside linebacker Fry Mosquera, who leads the team in sacks but has missed several games, has now been placed on injured reserve. To fill his spot, Rhein Fire signed Timothy Schürmann, who previously played five games for the Helvetic Mercenaries and made 30 tackles. Rhein Fire also strengthened their offensive line by signing Sampo Leppänen from the Mercenaries to help protect quarterback Chad Jeffries.

Nordic Storm

The Nordic Storm also made important roster changes, responding to the injury of Exavier Edwards by signing veteran defensive back Clifton Duck. Duck played college football at Appalachian State, where he started all 39 games over three seasons and made 12 interceptions. After college, Duck played two seasons in the Indoor Football League with the San Antonio Gunslingers, recording 114 tackles and seven interceptions. His speed and big-play ability should be a big boost for the Nordic Storm’s defense and special teams.

Additionally, the Nordic Storm added young French running back Armand Soulerot, who last played in Germany’s GFL 2 for the Rostock Griffins. Soulerot will help improve the Nordic Storm’s No. 11-ranked rushing offense and fills the E-import spot left by Glen Toonga.

Hamburg Sea Devils

The Hamburg Sea Devils also reacted to big injury troubles in their offensive line. During their game against the Nordic Storm, defensive lineman Jonathan Ipsen even had to play snaps at left tackle. To stabilize their protection, the Sea Devils signed Irish offensive tackle Andrew Ruttle, who previously played for the Dublin Rebels, Allgäu Comets, and Berlin Adler.

Watch the GAZI Hero Plays of Week 8 here!

East Division

Fehérvár Enthroners

The Enthroners are adding more offensive power. They signed offensive lineman Daniel William Kane, who impressed last season in the German Football League with the Berlin Rebels by allowing only one sack. This move replaces offensive lineman Tomas Middleton, who was released earlier. To give quarterback Brock Domann another weapon, the Enthroners also signed wide receiver Melvin Palin. The French receiver played for Bishop’s Gaiters in Canadian college football and has ELF experience with the Barcelona Dragons and Paris Musketeers.

Prague Lions

The Prague Lions face another setback as defensive back Jalen Embry is out again due to injury. Embry already missed the first four games of the season. In his place, the Lions brought back Tyrus Guilford Jr., who stepped in for Embry earlier this season. Guilford performed strongly in those four games, collecting two interceptions, two pass deflections, and 24 tackles, and hopes to continue that success.

South Division

Helvetic Mercenaries

The Helvetic Mercenaries’ roster overhaul continues. Defensive end RJ Sagna and the team have parted ways. The former Division 1 Penn State prospect showed flashes of talent in his first ELF season, making 14 tackles, including two crucial third-down stops and one tackle for loss.

Watch the Top 10 Plays of Week 8 here!

West Division

Paris Musketeers

The Paris Musketeers made three moves to reshape their defensive line. After releasing American defensive tackle Lamonte McDougle, they signed DeMarco Artis, who previously played for the Helvetic Mercenaries and recorded 30 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. Paris also signed defensive tackle Lance Leota from New Zealand, who played for the Leipzig Kings and Fehérvár Enthroners in the ELF, with 52 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 23 games.

A league on the move

With the Week 9 signing deadline approaching, these roster moves could make a big difference in the ELF playoff race. Teams are not only filling injury gaps but also looking for the final pieces to strengthen their playoff push - or to spark new hope in difficult seasons.

One thing is clear: the ELF remains as unpredictable and exciting as ever. Let’s see how these new faces will shape the games to come.

Watch all games with the ELF Game Pass!