Tar Heels in NFL: Dyami Brown has two spectacular TD receptions; Michael Carter runs for two TDs in Jets win

By R.L. Bynum

Dyami Brown had a quiet rookie season with Washington and didn’t get many chances to show his talent in the first four Commanders games this season.

He got his chance on Sunday and took advantage by making two spectacular touchdown receptions, including a career-high 75-yard play, in Washington’s 21–17 home loss to the Tennessee Titans. Linebacker Cole Holcomb also put up big numbers in that game. New York Jets running back Michael Carter also had two touchdowns.

Brown got as many targets Sunday as in the first four games (four) and showed the big-play ability that Washington was looking for when it picked him in the third round of the 2021 draft. The scoring catches were the first of his NFL career after catching 21 touchdown passes in his three-year UNC career.

“It’s always move on to the next,” said Brown, who collected 24.5 fantasy points. “I have to get rid of today after today and just go on to the next day and be prepared.”

After pulling down only one catch for six yards in the first four games, he collected two catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Washington quarterback Carson Wentz connected with Brown on a 75-yard scoring play early in the second quarter off of a play-action fake. Brown got past the defender and made an over-the-shoulder catch for the franchise’s longest touchdown reception since running back Matt Jones in 2015. That play was No. 3 on the NFL Network Red Zone Channel’s list of the Top 5 plays of the day.

Late in the third quarter, facing press man coverage, Brown ran a deep fade route to the left from the slot position and made an incredible one-handed catch as he crossed the goal line for a 30-yard scoring play.

During Brown’s rookie season, he had 12 catches on 25 targets for 165 yards, with the longest reception going for 48 yards.

Brown got more time because Jahan Dotson was out with a hamstring injury. Brown was limited in practice on Monday with a groin injury.

After collecting 14 tackles and 18 assists in the first four games, Holcomb had 11 tackles and four assists against the Titans for 13.0 fantasy points.


Carter only had 21 yards on 10 carries in the Jets’ 40–17 home win over the Miami Dolphins, but he made them count with one-yard touchdown runs in the second and fourth quarters for his first two scores of the season.

After the second score, he had a little fun at the expense of Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle by mimicking his “waddle” touchdown dance.

Although Carter started, he only got 25 snaps compared to rookie running back Bryce Hall, who had 41 snaps,. Hall ran 18 times for 97 yards and a touchdown.

The win ended a 12-game losing streak against fellow AFC East teams for the Jets.


Mitchell Trubisky got blamed a lot for Pittsburgh’s struggles, but he at least was able to lead the Steelers to touchdown drives.

Kenny Pickett, a rookie from Pitt, started and played the whole way, going 34 of 52 for 327 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a 74.8 passer rating in the Steelers’ 38–3 loss at Buffalo. Pickett replaced Trubisky at halftime of the Oct. 2, 24–20 home loss to the New York Jets.

So maybe it wasn’t Trubisky’s fault? The last time Trubisky played the entire game — the 29–17 loss at Cleveland — Trubisky had an 81.1 passer rating.


Myles Dorn played his third game this season for Minnesota in the Vikings’ 29–22 home win over Chicago after being on the practice squad the previous week but had no statistics in 12 special-teams snaps. Ty Chandler played for the Vikings, getting nine special teams snaps and an assist on kickoff coverage but broke a thumb and could be out for a while.

Bears defensive end Robert Quinn started but had no tackles or assists. He only has four tackles, two assists and one sack this season.


James Hurst made his fifth start in five games at left tackle and played all 77 offensive snaps in the New Orleans Saints’ 39–32 home victory over Seattle.


In the New York Giants’ 27–22 win in London over the Green Bay Packers, Tomon Fox had one tackle and one assist over 11 defensive snaps and Joshua Ezeudu played 1 offensive snap and five special-eams snaps off the bench.


Offensive lineman Charlie Heck played two offensive snaps and three special-teams snaps off the bench in Houston’s 13–6 victory at Jacksonville. M.J. Stewart Jr. had one assist on kickoff coverage for the Texans.


In the Las Vegas Raiders’ 30–29 loss Monday at Kansas City, Mack Hollins had no catches on four targets.

Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver

21–17 loss vs. Tennessee — 2 catches on 4 targets, 105 yards (75 longest), 2 TDs, 24.5 fantasy points; 20 offensive snaps (32%), 9 special-teams snaps (32%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 3 catches on 8 targets for 111 yards (75 longest), 2 TDs; 1 special-teams assist
Up next — 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Chicago, Prime Video
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Michael Carter, New York Jets running back

40–17 win vs. Miami — Started; 10 carries, 21 yards (8 longest), 2 TDs; 2 catches on 2 targets, 12 yards (6 longest); 17.3 fantasy points; 25 offensive snaps (42%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts; 47 carries, 158 yards (22 longest, 3.3 average), 2 TDs; 17 catches on 21 targets, 100 yards (12 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Green Bay, Fox
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Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back

29–22 win vs. Chicago — 1 special-teams assist on kickoff coverage; 9 special-teams snaps (39%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 special-team assist
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
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Myles Dorn, Minnesota Vikings defensive back

29–22 win vs. Chicago — Played, no statistics; 12 special-teams snaps (52%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 assist
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
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Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman

27–22 win vs. Green Bay in London Played on off the bench; 1 offensive snap (2%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%)
Season statistics — 5 games; 46 offensive snaps, 127 special-teams snaps
Up next —
1 p.m. Sunday vs. Baltimore, CBS
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Tomon Fox, New York Giants linebacker

27–22 win vs. Green Bay in London 1 tackle, 1 assist; 11 defensive snaps
Season statistics — 4 games; 4 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Baltimore, CBS
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Charlie Heck, Houston Texans left tackle

13–6 win at Jacksonville 2 offensive snaps (3%), 3 special-teams snaps (14%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 1 start; 12 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps
Up next after Week 6 open date — 4:05 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at Las Vegas Raiders, CBS
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Cole Holcomb, Washington Commanders middle linebacker

21–17 loss vs. Tennessee Started; 11 tackles (one for a loss), 4 assists, 13.0 fantasy points; 64 defensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts; 13 tackles, 18 assists
Up next — 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Chicago, Prime Video
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Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver

30–29 loss at Kansas City Started; 4 targets, no catches; 1 special-teams assist on punt coverage
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 starts; 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards; 14 catches on 20 targets, 240 yards (17.1 average, 60 longest)
Up next after Week 6 open date — 4:05 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 vs. Houston, CBS
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Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback

21–17 loss vs. Tennessee Inactive for game
Season statistics — Hasn’t played
Up next — 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Chicago, Prime Video
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James Hurst, New Orleans Saints tackle

39–32 win vs. Seattle Started at left tackle; 77 offensive snaps (100%), 5 special-teams snaps (15%)
Season statistics — 5 games; 5 starts, 1 fumble recovery, 1 tackle on an interception return; 335 offensive snaps (100%), 12 special-teams snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, CBS
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Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears defensive end

29–22 loss at Minnesota Started; no statistics; 50 defensive snaps (63%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts; 4 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss
Up next — 8:15 p.m. Thursday vs. Washington, Prime Video
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M.J. Stewart Jr., Houston Texans safety

13–6 win at Jacksonville 1 special-teams assist on kickoff coverage; 18 special-teams snaps (86%)
Season statistics —
5 games; 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Up next after Week 6 open date —
4:05 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at Las Vegas Raiders, CBS
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Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback

38–3 loss at Buffalo — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts; 69 of 126, 653 yards (5.51average, 36 longest), 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 5 sacks; 7 rushes, 24 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, Fox
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Out for the season
Running back Javonte Williams, Denver (torn ACL in right knee); 4 games, 4 starts; 47 carries, 204 yards (4.3 average, 17 longest); 16 catches on 22 targets, 76 yards (4.8 average, 13 longest)
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
On practice squads
Cornerback Kyler McMichael, Buffalo
Linebacker Chazz Surratt, New York Jets (released by Minnesota)
Released after Week 3
Running back Antonio Williams, New York Giants
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

Photo via @Commanders

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