After bringing Huke back into their Stage 4 CDL lineup, the LA Thieves have benched him again, just hours before the Major. According to the team, it’s because of difficulties involving a missed test and a misspelled name.
The Thieves benched Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland shortly after spending a bag to acquire him. Then, following a tell-all video, they brought him and Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat back into the starting lineup to finish up Stage 4.
Now, just a couple hours prior to their loser’s round opener against the LA Guerrillas in Stage 4’s Major, LA have benched Huke again. First explaining that Huke missed a health protocol test, the Thieves announced that Zack ‘Drazah’ Jordan will be taking his spot on the second SMG.
For our match today vs. the Guerillas, @Drazah_ will be starting in place of @huke.
As part of the CDL's COVID guidelines, players are to be tested the night before the match to determine eligibility. Huke was not available to be tested at the dedicated time.
— LA Thieves (@LAThieves) June 17, 2021
Later, 100 Thieves founder Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag elaborated that it may not have been a missed test. Instead, Nadeshot clarified that Huke misspelled his name on the original test and then forgot his ID for a second one — adding some wrinkles of confusion to the situation.
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Why are you twisting this into some fan fiction conspiracy when it’s just black and white. Cuyler spelled his name wrong on his COVID test from last night so it was invalid. Then showed up to the venue without his ID and wasn’t able to be tested again.
— 100T Nadeshot (@Nadeshot) June 17, 2021
It’s unclear how the mishaps happened, there appears to have been some early struggles in the return to LAN. While many were hoping for Huke’s redemption arc on the big stage, Drazah may get his instead.
If the Thieves beat the LA Guerrillas, they will move on to the next round of the loser’s bracket. In that case, it’s possible that Huke will be able to get an official test done and be eligible for their next match.