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Defenders bench QB Cardale Jones after 7th interception of season

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Defenders QB Jones pulled after throwing a pick (0:23)

In the first quarter, DC Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones throws his seventh interception of the season and is pulled from the game. (0:23)

The DC Defenders pulled quarterback Cardale Jones in the first quarter of Sunday's XFL game against the St. Louis BattleHawks after he threw his seventh interception of the season.

He was replaced by Tyree Jackson, who led the Defenders on a touchdown drive, capping it with a 9-yard scoring strike to tight end Khari Lee. Jackson finished the game 9-of-14 passing for 39 yards and the touchdown. He also rushed seven times for 32 yards in the Defenders' 15-6 victory.

Defenders coach Pep Hamilton said after the game that Jones will remain the starter despite Sunday's benching.

Jones, a former Ohio State quarterback who was a backup in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers, has struggled since leading the Defenders to a 2-0 start.

After completing 62% of his passes for 499 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in DC's two wins to start the season, Jones has completed just 44% of his passes with no touchdowns and six interceptions since. The Defenders had dropped two straight games before snapping the skid Sunday.