Premier Lacrosse League Injury Report: Redwoods Welcome Back Stars as Atlas and Waterdogs Navigate Key Absences

The mid-June stretch of the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League season is proving to be a battle of attrition, but a wave of returning stars is injecting fresh energy into the standings. The injury report heading into the weekend is a mix of triumphant returns and profound tests of depth, highlighting the "next man up" mentality that defines professional lacrosse.[2]

The biggest winners of the week are the California Redwoods, who are welcoming back a trio of offensive catalysts. Chris Kavanagh, Sam English, and Ryder Garnsey are all returning to the active roster, providing a massive spark to a unit that has been searching for its rhythm. The influx of firepower gives head coach Nat St. Laurent a full arsenal to deploy as the Redwoods look to climb the Western Conference standings.

The defensive side of the ball is also seeing key reinforcements. Carolina Chaos defender Jack Rowlett has been activated after a brief stint on the inactive list. Rowlett’s return fortifies a Chaos defensive unit that has already proven capable of stifling opponents, recently holding Philadelphia to just eight goals.

Conversely, the defending champion New York Atlas are navigating one of the most challenging injury stretches in franchise history. The Atlas were already operating without 2025 Championship MVP Jeff Teat, who is recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery. The situation compounded when elite faceoff specialist Trevor Baptiste suffered a knee injury during Team USA tryouts, forcing him onto the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.[2]

Yet, the Atlas are finding silver linings in their depth. In Baptiste's absence, Nathan Laliberte has stepped up admirably at the faceoff stripe. Winning over 50 percent of his draws against top-tier competition, Laliberte has provided a crucial source of stability for head coach Mike Pressler, proving that New York's roster construction can withstand the loss of generational talent.[2]

The Philadelphia Waterdogs are facing their own defensive hurdles. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Gavin Adler, the team's prized free-agency acquisition, has been ruled out with a right quad strain. The loss of Adler removes a premier cover man who possesses the unique ability to match both the speed of smaller attackmen and the physicality of power forwards.[1]

Philadelphia's defensive depth is being further tested by the absence of short-stick defensive midfielder Casey Wilson, who was also ruled out with an injury. This leaves the Waterdogs with just two true shorties on the active roster, forcing the coaching staff to get creative with their defensive rotations and slide packages to protect the middle of the field.[1]

Meanwhile, the Denver Outlaws are attempting to manufacture offense without two of their primary weapons. Jared Bernhardt remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Pat Kavanagh is listed as questionable for the second consecutive week. The Outlaws are increasingly leaning on Dalton Young and Jonathan Donville to carry the offensive load on the right side.

Across the league, the physical toll of the outdoor game is evident. Players like Dylan Hess of the Waterdogs and Matthew Paolatto of the Whipsnakes are spending the summer rehabilitating from severe early-season injuries. But for every player sidelined, a rookie or undrafted free agent is getting the call to step under the stadium lights.[3]

As the Redwoods integrate their returning stars and the Atlas and Waterdogs patch their lineups with hungry reserves, the 2026 season is showcasing the sheer depth of the modern PLL. The teams that can weather this mid-summer injury storm will be the ones left standing when the playoffs arrive.[2]