At 1-4, the Memphis Express aren’t staring at much optimism midway through their first season. It didn’t stop coach Mike Singletary from looking for some after Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

Singletary called it a critical time but said nobody on the team is concerned with losing heart or panicking just yet.

“I don’t think panic button or desperation button,” Singletary said. “(It’s a) sense of urgency knowing that we’re at that place where it’s pretty tight.”

As it stands, the Express are at the bottom of the AAF’s Eastern Conference and tied for the league’s worst record with the Salt Lake Stallions. The offense, which was sparked by Zach Mettenberger taking over at quarterback, still is averaging the fewest yards per game and second-fewest points per game in the league.

If there’s any consolation, the team is only two games behind Birmingham for second place in the conference. But the Express’ upcoming schedule presents both hope and several challenges.

After playing at Salt Lake on Saturday, the team hosts Birmingham and Orlando in consecutive weeks. Birmingham shut out the Express in the season opener, and Orlando is 5-0, including a 21-17 win over Memphis.

Singletary, however, was hesitant to call the remaining five games must-wins. It might not be time to worry, but he conceded the Express need to start fixing their issues sooner rather than later.

“We don’t have much time left. We still may have an opportunity,” Singletary said. “We want to be in the thick of this thing at the end and doing everything that we can to try and make a move.”

Injury updates

Singletary said he was waiting to confirm the severity of running back Sherman Badie’s knee injury but said that it’s not looking great.

Badie left the field in the first half Saturday and did not return. Singletary said he wanted to speak more to the training staff before announcing Badie's status.

Singletary was more optimistic on the return of defensive linemen Anthony Johnson and Julius Warmsley. Johnson is considered “day-to-day,” and Warmsley is expected to get some reps this week.

“I think it’s just a matter of seeing how well and how fast he heals. We’ll go from there,” Singletary said of Johnson.

More:AAF scores, standings and stats through Week 5

You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter @Evan_B or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com.