Spokane's secondary, a sore spot most of the season, has been more productive the last five games, including a three-interception performance against Philadelphia on Friday. The unit will be relied on even more with the absence of DL standout Khreem Smith, who was traded to Utah last week, as the AFL season winds down.

Losing Smith won't make the DBs' jobs easier, but they might get a few more chances to generate turnovers, if the first game minus Smith is any indication. Their challenge will be tougher when Chicago visits Saturday. The Rush have 29 turnovers this season, compared to Philadelphia's 37.

More about the secondary, Erik Meyer, an injury update and a familiar face back at practice in the weekly Shock notebook that will run in Wednesday's S-R. You can have an early look right here.