Utah Archers attackman Matt Moore is officially off of injured reserve ahead of Saturday’s semifinal against the Carolina Chaos. Moore makes his return ahead of the Archers’ first game of the Cash App Playoffs after suffering a right AC joint sprain against the Chaos in Baltimore. 

Since three-time MVP Tom Schreiber went down for the year in the final weekend of the regular season, Moore’s return is crucial news ahead of Utah’s matchup with Carolina’s league-best defense. 

Moore started the season slowly with one point in the first four games. Yet he found a rhythm midseason, scoring a pair of goals against the Maryland Whipsnakes in Boston and six points versus the California Redwoods in Fairfield. 

Moore simplifies the Archers from a position standpoint. He'll likely start at attack alongside Connor Fields and Mac O’Keefe on Saturday night. Grant Ament, Tre Leclaire and Jack VanOverbeke will presumably come out of the box after they each spent stints at attack in Moore’s absence. Without Schreiber, bringing the Leclaire-Ament duo out of the box will be particularly important to maintain a dodging presence from the midfield. 

Moore also brings a valuable, upfield dodging threat at attack to complement Fields on the opposite side. The Carolina defense forces its opponents to win individual matchups, and Moore can do just that. He can also occupy a pole or, if the Chaos short him, he can abuse that matchup. 

The Archers’ offense will be up against a stiff challenge versus the Chaos’ lockdown defense and all-world goalie Blaze Riorden. No Schreiber makes beating Carolina even tougher. But Moore – a two-time NCAA champion and one-time PLL champion – has the pedigree and talent to give Utah a major boost when the club faces off against Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.