By R.L. Bynum
Rookie running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter each had their eye-catching moments Sunday, a week away from facing each other for the first time in the NFL.
Williams ran for 64 yards on 13 carries, including a 16-yard rush, in his Denver Broncos’ 23–13 win at Jacksonville, with seven of those runs through the middle of the line. Williams caught the only pass targeting to him for 10 yards.
Williams outperformed starter Melvin Gordon, who had 31 yards on 13 carries with the longest run of eight yards. Gordon caught two passes for 38 yards. Gordon played 41 snaps compared to 28 for Williams.
The Jaguars learned what the ACC discovered long ago: It is hard to bring down Williams when he bulldozes his way through people. On a 13-yard run during the fourth quarter, Williams ran over three or four tacklers and refused to go down before two defenders finally tackled him.
Carter was one of the few bright spots for the New York Jets in their 25–6 home loss to the New England Patriots, running for 59 yards on 11 carries, including a 14-yard run. He had two catches on three targets for 29 yards, including a 17-yard reception.
Asked how comfortable he was in the Jets’ offense after looking good with 5.3 yards per carry, Carter deflected.
“I feel like, first of all, our offensive line, they blocked it,” said Carter, who played 33 offensive snaps (45%). “We came in with the right mindset today, and I feel like our mindset as a team is right and we’re developing into a championship mindset every day. In a fight, you’re gonna get hit. But as long as you hit back, I feel like that’s a sign of growth.”
Ty Johnson started at running back for the Jets, rushing 12 times for 50 yards.
Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson threw four interceptions, making it a challenge for the Jets. Carter praised Wilson for making good throws later in the game.
“We’ve we got to do what we’ve got to do to make things happen,” Carter said. “Nobody’s going to give anything to us in this league. It’s hard enough to win, even more when we’re making mistakes. It gets way harder. So, we’ve got to play mistake-free football.
Yahoo! reviewed Carter’s performance.
Carter’s Jets visit Williams’ Broncos in a CBS doubleheader game at 4:05 p.m. next Sunday.
Outside linebacker Robert Quinn had a big game in the Chicago Bears’ 20–17 home win over Cincinnati, with three tackles, a sack for an 8-yard loss and a tackle for a loss, in addition to hurrying Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on one play.
Quinn was called for unsportsmanlike conduct when he nudged Burrow on the sideline just after Burrow had gone out of bounds and slowed suddenly. That prompted Fox analyst Mark Sanchez to accuse Burrow of acting to draw a penalty.
Tight end Eric Ebron battled a hamstring issue and, after missing practice Thursday, didn’t start for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ in their 26–17 home loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Ebron had no receptions on two targets in 24 snaps. Rookie Pat Freiermuth started at tight end.
Even with the Buffalo Bills rolling to a 35–0 win at Miami, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky didn’t get into the game until the final minute. He kneeled on both plays for two yards in losses. Bills starting quarterback Josh Allen was 17 of 33 for 179 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The only statistic from Mack Hollins for Miami was a tackle while defending a punt return. He played 16 offensive snaps (22%) and 13 special-teams snaps (59%).
After missing a Houston Texans game the week before that he would have started because of a positive COVID-19 test, right tackle Charlie Heck was back for their 31–21 loss at Cleveland. Heck played only one offensive snap and four special-teams snaps and Marcus Cannon started.
The Browns’ M.J. Stewart played exclusively on special teams, getting in on 19 plays (76% of special-teams snaps.)
In Tampa Bay’s 48–25 home win over Atlanta, running back Giovani Bernard had two catches for 16 yards, including a 10-yard reception. He returned one kickoff for 16 yards. He only played six offensive snaps (10%) and played four special-teams snaps.
On Thursday, rookie wide receiver Dyami Brown had three catches on six targets for 34 yards in Washington’s 30–29 home victory over the New York Giants. He was on hand Saturday at Kenan Stadium to see his brother Khafre catch a 75-yard touchdown pass in a Carolina win over Virginia.
Brown leaped to catch a high throw from quarterback Taylor Heinicke for a 22-yard reception late in the first quarter. That was the third-longest play of the night for Washington.
Brown started for the second consecutive week after Curtis Samuel went on injured reserve with a groin injury before the opener. Samuel could return as soon as Week 4.
Washington outside linebacker Cole Holcomb started and played all 69 of his team’s defensive snaps, collecting four tackles and two assists.
Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
48– 25 Sunday win vs. Atlanta — 2 catches, 16 yards with a 10-yard reception; returned one kickoff for 16 yards; played 6 offensive snaps (10%) and 4 special-teams snaps (13%)
Up next — at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Dyami Brown, Washington wide receiver
30–29 Thursday win vs. New York Giants — Started; 3 catches on 6 targets, 34 yards; played 87% of offensive snaps (62), ran 45 routes and was targeted on 14% of passes
Up next — at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
25–6 Sunday loss vs. New England — 11 carries, 59 yards, longest run of 14 yards; 2 catches on 3 targets for 29 yards, including a 17-yard receptions; played 33 offensive snaps (45%)
Up next — at Denver, 4:05 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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Myles Dorn, Minnesota Vikings safety
34–33 Sunday loss at Arizona — 10 special-teams snaps
Up next — vs. Seattle, 4:25 p.m. Sunday
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Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
26–17 Sunday loss vs. Las Vegas — Missed practice Thursday with a hamstring issue and didn’t start; no catches on two targets; played 24 snaps (43%)
Up next — vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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Charlie Heck, Houston Texans right tackle
31–21 Sunday loss at Cleveland — Played as a reserve in first game since coming off the COVID list, with Marcus Cannon getting the start; played 1 offensive snap and 4 special-teams snaps
Up next — vs. Carolina, 8:20 p.m. Thursday, NFL Network
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Cole Holcomb, Washington outside linebacker
30–29 Thursday win vs. New York Giants — Started; 4 tackles, 2 assists; played all 69 defensive snaps
Up next — at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Mack Hollins, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
35–0 Sunday loss vs. Buffalo — 1 special-teams tackle defending a punt return; played 16 offensive snaps (22%) and 13 special-teams snaps (23%)
Up next — at Las Vegas, 4:05 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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James Hurst, New Orleans Saints left tackle
26–7 Sunday loss at Carolina — Reported as tackle-eligible four times; played 10 offensive snaps (23%) and 1 special-teams snap
Up next — at New England, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears outside linebacker
20–17 Sunday win vs. Cincinnati — Started; 3 tackles, 1 sack (for an 8-yard loss), 1 tackle for a loss; hurried quarterback once; played 38 defensive snaps (69%)
Up next — at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Andre Smith, Buffalo Bills weakside linebacker
35–0 Sunday win at Miami — Not active for game
Up next — vs. Washington, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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M.J. Stewart Jr., Cleveland Browns strong safety
31–21 Sunday win vs. Houston — Played no defensive snaps; played 19 (76%) of special-team snaps.
Up next — vs. Chicago, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Chazz Surratt, Minnesota Vikings weakside linebacker
34–33 Sunday loss at Arizona — Not active for game
Up next — vs. Seattle, 4:25 p.m. Sunday
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Mitchell Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
35–0 Sunday win at Miami — 2 rushes, -2 yards; he played the final two plays of the game, kneeling on both plays.
Up next — vs. Washington, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
23–13 Sunday win at Jacksonville — 13 carries, 64 yards, longest run 16 yards; played 28 snaps (41%) and 1 special-teams snap
Up next — vs. New York Jets, 4:05 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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Tar Heels on practice squads
Jake Bargas, Minnesota Vikings fullback
Dazz Newsome, Chicago Bears wide receiver
Antonio Williams, Buffalo Bills running back
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Injured Tar Heels
Jalen Dalton, New Orleans Saints defensive tackle, suffered season-ending triceps injury
Ryan Switzer, Cleveland Browns wide receiver, had ankle surgery Aug. 20
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