PLL Injury Report: California Redwoods Lean on Defensive Depth as Rookies Step Up

The grueling cadence of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) summer schedule guarantees that every team's roster depth will eventually be tested. As the 2026 season crosses its midway point, the California Redwoods are navigating a significant defensive reshuffle. A sudden wave of roster moves has sidelined key veterans, forcing the coaching staff to lean heavily on their reserve list and rookie acquisitions. Rather than a setback, the transition has provided a stage for emerging talent to prove they belong in the professional ranks.[1]

The defensive adjustments began in mid-June when the Redwoods placed standout defender Cole Kastner on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Just over a week later, the team announced that long-stick midfielder Arden Cohen would also be moved to the PUP list. The defensive unit saw further turnover when veteran long-stick midfielder Kyle Hartzell officially announced his retirement on June 26. In the span of ten days, California lost three critical pieces of its backline rotation.[1]

In the PLL, the PUP list designation is utilized for players who sustain injuries outside of official league play—often during training camp, National Lacrosse League (NLL) commitments, or off-field training. While the fan perspective remains the same—the player is unavailable—the designation is crucial for roster management. Players placed on the PUP list do not count toward the team's 25-man active roster cap, giving general managers the flexibility to activate reserves or sign free agents from the league's player pool.

For the Redwoods, that roster flexibility immediately translated into opportunity. With Kastner unavailable, former Ohio State defensive standout Cullen Brown was activated to make his highly anticipated PLL debut. Stepping into a professional defense mid-season is a daunting task, but Brown’s integration highlights the league's "next man up" mentality. By stepping into Kastner's role, Brown has injected youth and fresh legs into a unit that relies on high-pressure, physical matchups.

The transition on defense has been smoothed by the stabilizing presence of veteran goaltender Dillon Ward. Acquired to anchor the California defense, Ward's experience and communication have been vital in directing the newly formed defensive unit. When a team integrates a rookie defender like Brown on the fly, having a vocal, world-class goaltender calling out slides and rotations is the ultimate safety net.

Possession has also played a critical role in shielding the reshuffled defense. Faceoff specialist TD Ierlan has been dominant at the stripe, recently putting together a 34-for-58 weekend with 19 ground balls across two games in San Diego. By consistently winning the faceoff battle, Ierlan ensures that the Redwoods' defense isn't trapped in extended, fatiguing shifts. Controlling the tempo of the game has allowed California to dictate the terms of engagement, easing the burden on their new defensive personnel.[3]

On the offensive side of the ball, the Redwoods have provided ample run support to keep the pressure off their backline. Midfielder Andrew McAdorey has paced the unit, racking up nine goals and 10 points overall to earn a spot in the upcoming PLL All-Star Game. Meanwhile, veteran attackman Dylan Molloy has been an engine for the offense, recently shifting his MVP odds with a massive seven-goal performance. When the offense operates with that level of efficiency, it affords the defense the luxury of playing aggressively without the fear that a single mistake will cost them the game.[2]

The Redwoods' situation is reflective of a broader trend across the PLL this summer. With the 2026 season featuring an expanded schedule and overlapping with the end of the NLL playoffs, teams have been forced to utilize their entire 25-man rosters. The waiver wire and player pool have been highly active, with undrafted rookies and reserve players stepping into high-leverage situations across the league.

As California pushes toward the postseason, the defensive adversity they face now could pay dividends in September. If rookies like Brown can secure valuable game reps and build chemistry with Ward, the Redwoods will boast a deeper, more battle-tested roster when Kastner and Cohen eventually return to full health. In professional lacrosse, surviving the midseason injury bug is often the defining characteristic of a championship contender.[1]