By R.L. Bynum

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed reserve running back Giovani Bernard on injured reserve Wednesday with an ankle injury, meaning he will miss at least the next four weeks.

Bernard, 30, left Sunday’s victory over New Orleans in the third quarter and didn’t return. He didn’t get an offensive snap in the first two Bucs game, playing 11 special-teams snaps, including returning a kickoff 14 yards against the Saints.

The former Tar Heel, best remembered for his big 74-yard punt return for a touchdown to beat N.C. State in 2012, is in his 10th NFL season and second with Tampa Bay. The Cincinnati Bengals made him the 37th overall pick in the second round of the 2013 draft.

His most productive season was 2015 when he ran for 730 yards and had 472 receiving yards for the Bengals.

In other injury news, Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb was a limited participant in practice Wednesday because of a quad injury.

Week 3 of the NFL season starts at 8:15 p.m. Thursday (Prime Video) when Mitch Trubisky and the Pittsburgh Steelers try to rebound from Sunday’s 17–14 home loss to New England with a road game against the Cleveland Browns.

It’s the first of three prime-time games this weekend involving Tar Heels.

Javonte Williams and the Denver Broncos play host to the San Francisco 49ers at 8:20 Sunday night (NBC). On Monday night at 8:15 (ESPN, ABC), the New York Giants, with Joshua Ezeudu, Tomon Fox and Antonio Williams, play host to the Dallas Cowboys.

When Tar Heels play in Week 3

Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver

Season statistics — 2 games, no statistics
1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
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Michael Carter, New York Jets running back

Season statistics — 2 games; 17 carries, 83 yards (22 longest); 12 catches on 14 targets, 67 yards (12 longest)
1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, CBS
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Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back

Season statistics — Hasn’t played
1 p.m. Sunday vs. Detroit, Fox
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Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman

Season statistics — 2 games; 45 offensive snaps, 7 special-teams snaps
8:15 p.m. Monday vs. Dallas, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2
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Tomon Fox, New York Giants linebacker

Season statistics — 2 games; 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
8:15 p.m. Monday vs. Dallas, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2
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Charlie Heck, Houston Texans left tackle

Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start; 6 offensive snaps, 7 special-teams snaps
1 p.m. Sunday at Chicago, CBS
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Cole Holcomb, Washington Commanders middle linebacker

Season statistics — 2 games; 5 tackles, 10 assists
1 p.m. Sunday at Chicago, CBS (questionable with quad issue)
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Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver

Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start; 6 catches on 9 targets, 82 yards (13.7 average, 23 longest)
1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
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Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback

Season statistics — Hasn’t played
1 p.m. Sunday at Chicago, CBS
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James Hurst, New Orleans Saints tackle

Season statistics — 2 games; 2 starts, 1 fumble recovery, 1 tackle on an interception return, 129 offensive snaps (100%), 4 special-teams snaps
1 p.m. Sunday at Carolina, Fox
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Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears defensive end

Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts; 3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss
1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
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M.J. Stewart Jr., Houston Texans safety

Season statistics — 2 games; 4 special-teams tackles
1 p.m. Sunday at Chicago, CBS
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Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback

Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts; 42 of 71, 362 yards, (5.1 average, 32 longest), 2 TDs, 1 INT, 4 sacks; 4 rushes, 16 yards; 76.1 passer rating
8:15 p.m. Thursday at Cleveland, Prime Video
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Antonio Williams, New York Giants running back

Season statistics — 1 game, no statistics
8:15 p.m. Monday vs. Dallas, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2
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Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back

Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts; 22 carries, 118 yards (5.4 average, 17 longest); 12 catches on 16 targets, 75 yards (6.2 average, 13 longest)
8:20 p.m. Sunday vs. San Francisco, NBC
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Suspended (violating performance-enhancing substance policy)
Linebacker Andre Smith, Buffalo (first game will be Sunday, Oct. 30 vs. Green Bay)
On injured reserve
Running back Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Defensive back Myles Dorn, Minnesota (Played Week 1)
Cornerback Kyler McMichael, Buffalo
Linebacker Chazz Surratt, New York Jets (released by Minnesota)
Released during camp and unsigned
Fullback Jake Bargas, Chicago (earlier by Minnesota)
Defensive tackle Aaron Crawford, Baltimore
Linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, Denver (earlier by San Francisco)
Wide receiver Dazz Newsome, Chicago
Wide receiver Austin Proehl, New York Giants
Offensive tackle Jordan Tucker, Pittsburgh
Released from injured reserve with settlements
Defensive lineman Jalen Dalton, Atlanta
Tight end Bug Howard, Tampa Bay