Undrafted Fox makes 53-man cut with Giants, four others released

By R.L. Bynum

NFL teams had to cut their rosters down to 53 players on Tuesday, which led to terrific news for outside linebacker Tomon Fox but a disappointing day for several other former UNC players.

After 29 Tar Heels were in NFL camps when they started, that number of active players is down to 18, with three others on injured reserve.

Fox was the only undrafted rookie in camp with the New York Giants to survive the cut. He has been listed as fourth string on their depth chart.

Fox, who went viral with a late big hit in the Giants’ second exhibition, got high praise from UNC and Giants legend Lawrence Taylor.

“I know he’s hardcore, and not being drafted will make him work harder,” the Hall of Famer said of Fox. “He is a solid player from what I’ve seen.”

Minnesota released safety Myles Dorn and linebacker Chazz Surratt, Denver released rookie linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel and Tampa Bay released rookie cornerback Kyler McMichael.

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It’s possible that they could end up either on those teams’ practice squads if they clear waivers, particularly McMichael, or be picked up by another team. Other teams have until noon Wednesday to pick up a player released by another team.

The New York Jets are signing Surratt, who didn’t practice last week or play in the Vikings’ final exhibition game, to their practice squad. The Vikings signed Dorn to their practice squad on Wednesday.

Gemmel played one game with the Broncos. He went to camp with San Francisco, but Denver signed him after the 49ers released him.

Earlier in the preseason, Chicago released fullback Jake Bargas and wide receiver Dazz Newsome, the New York Giants released wide receiver Austin Proehl and Pittsburgh released offensive lineman Jordan Tucker.

Atlanta defensive lineman Jalen Dalton and Tampa Bay tight end Bug Howard are on injured reserve. Giants guard Marcus McKethan is out for the season with a torn right ACL.

Status of Tar Heels in NFL

Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Place on depth chart — Third string behind Leonard Fournette and Ke’Shawn Vaughn
2021 statistics —
12 games, 8 rushes, 58 yards (24 longest); 23 catches, 123 yards, 3 TDs, 1 fumble; 1 kickoff return for 18 yards; 2 punt returns, 7 yards
Season opener — 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Dallas, NBC
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Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Place on depth chart —
Backup to Terry McLaurin at one wide receiver spot
2021 statistics —15 games, 12 receptions on 25 targets, 165 yards (13.8 average; longest 48 yards); 1 rush for -4 yards; 16 snaps (23%)
Season opener —
1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Jacksonville, Fox———————————————
Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
Place on depth chart — Projected starter
2021 statistics — 14 games, 147 carries, 639 yards (4.3 average, longest 55), 4 TDs; 36 receptions on 55 targets, 325 yards (9.0 average; longest 23)
Season opener —
1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Baltimore, CBS
———————————————
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Place on depth chart — Fourth string behind Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu
2021 statistics (UNC) — 13 games, 182 carries, 1,092 yards (6.0 average, longest 60), 13 TDs; 24 receptions, 216 yards (16.6 average; longest 75)
Season opener —
4:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Green Bay, Fox
———————————————
Aaron Crawford, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle
Place on depth chart — Third-string nose tackle behind Michael Pierce and Travis Jones
2021 season — Spent season on Ravens’ injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury
Season opener —
1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at New York Jets, CBS
———————————————
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants guard
Place on depth chart — Second-string left guard behind Shane Lemieux
2021 statistics (UNC) —
Played 737 snaps in 12 games, starting 11 and was All-ACC Honorable Mention
Season opener —
4:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Tennessee, Fox
———————————————
Tomon Fox, New York Giants linebacker
Place on depth chart — Fourth string at weakside linebacker behind Kayvon Thibodeau, Oshane Ximines and Quincy Roche
2021 statistics (UNC) — 13 games, 23 solo tackles, 10 assists, 33 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 10 tackles for losses, hurried QB six times
Season opener —
4:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Tennessee, Fox
———————————————
Charlie Heck, Houston Texans tackle
Place on depth chart —
Backup right tackle behind Tytus Howard
2021 statistics — 15 games, 13 starts, 709 offensive snaps, 41 special-teams snaps
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Indianapolis, CBS
———————————————
Cole Holcomb, Washington Commanders linebacker
Place on depth chart —
Starting middle linebacker
2021 statistics — 16 games, 83 tackles, 55 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 2 interceptions, 1 TD, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovered fumble
Season opener —
1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Jacksonville, Fox
———————————————
Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Place on depth chart —
Backup behind Davante Adams at one wide receiver spot
2021 statistics (Miami Dolphins) — 17 games, 14 catches, 223 yards (15.9 average, 65 longest), 4 TDs; 5 special-teams tackles; 1 tackle
Season opener —
4:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
———————————————
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback
Place on depth chart — Third string behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke
2021 statistics (UNC) — 12 games, 217–347, 9 interceptions, 24 TDs, 3,056 yards (76 longest); 183 rushes, 828 yards (62 longest), 11 TDs
Season opener —
1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Jacksonville, Fox
———————————————
James Hurst, New Orleans Saints tackle
Place on depth chart —
Starting left tackle
2021 statistics — 14 games; 12 starts; 724 offensive snaps, 52 special-teams snaps
Season opener —
1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Atlanta, Fox
———————————————
Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears defensive end
Place on depth chart — Starting right defensive end
2021 statistics — 16 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 18½ sacks, 16 tackles for losses, 11 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles
Season opener —
1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. San Francisco, Fox
———————————————
Andre Smith, Buffalo Bills weakside linebacker
Place on depth chart — Backup strong-side linebacker behind Matt Milano but suspended for first six games (performance-enhancing substance usage)
2021 statistics — 13 games, 4 tackles, 5 assists, 3 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Smith’s first regular-season game —
8:20 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 vs. Green Bay, NBC
———————————————
M.J. Stewart Jr., Houston Texans safety
Place on depth chart —
Third string safety behind Jonathan Owens and Terrence Brooks
2021 statistics (Cleveland Browns) — 12 games, 30 tackles, 9 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 1 forced fumble, 4 special-teams tackles, 1 pass breakup; 1 kickoff return, 20 yards
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Indianapolis, CBS
———————————————
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Place on depth chart — Projected starter ahead of Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett
2021 statistics (Buffalo Bills) — 6 games; 6 of 8 passing for 43 yards (longest 15), 1 interception; 13 rushes for 24 yards (longest 22)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Cincinnati, CBS
———————————————
Antonio Williams, New York Giants running back
Place on depth chart — Fourth string behind Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell
2021 season (Buffalo Bills) — Spent season on practice squad
Final exhibition —
1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, NFL Network
Season opener — 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Tennessee, Fox
———————————————
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
Place on depth chart —
Starter ahead of Melvin Gordon III
2021 statistics — 17 games, 203 carries, 903 yards (4.4 average; longest 49 yards), 4 TDs; 43 catches on 53 targets, 316 yards (7.3 average, 42 longest), 1 TD
Season opener — 8:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12 at Seattle, ESPN, ABC
———————————————
Participated in camp but released
Fullback Jake Bargas, Chicago (released earlier by Minnesota)
Linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, Denver (released earlier by San Francisco)
Cornerback Kyler McMichael, Tampa Bay
Wide receiver Dazz Newsome, Chicago
Wide receiver Austin Proehl, New York Giants
Offensive tackle Jordan Tucker, Pittsburgh
Cleared waivers after release and on injured reserve (likely out for season)
Defensive lineman Jalen Dalton, Atlanta — suffered an undisclosed leg injury in the second Falcons exhibition game
Tight end Bug Howard, Tampa Bay — suffered an undisclosed injury
On practice squad
Safety Myles Dorn, Minnesota
Linebacker Chazz Surratt, New York Jets (released by Minnesota)
Out for the season
Marcus McKethan, New York Giants guard — suffered torn right ACL in an Aug. 5 scrimmage

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