By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell couldn’t have started his NFL career much better. His first professional pass in a regular-season game went for a 16-yard touchdown play.
More importantly, he led the Washington Commanders to a 26–6 home victory Sunday over their rival Dallas Cowboys and was given the game ball from Coach Ron Rivera after the game.
“Overall, it was just fun to get out there and play football again and get the win,” said Howell, who grew up a Cowboys fan. “It probably didn’t hit me until I ran out there on the field first. But I just said a quick prayer and just tried to stay in a moment and take it one play at a time.”
Howell connected on 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards with one interception for an 83.0 passer rating, and ran five times for 35 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie Washington quarterback to throw and run for a score since Robert Griffin III in 2012.
“It is about the QB making plays they’re supposed to make and, every now and then when you need a big play, make a big play,” Rivera said. “That’s what we need to get to.”
The fifth-round draft pick did that with a 52-yard completion to Terry McLaurin on the last play of the third quarter. That led to a 29-yard Joey Slye field goal to push the Commanders’ lead to 23–6. McLaurin also caught the touchdown pass in the first quarter.
“The ball literally walked into my hands,” McLaurin said, adding that Howell “makes some throws that make you say wow.”
Rivera said he saw the same player he saw at Carolina and that he delivered the ball on time and had good anticipation.
“He’ll definitely be a quarterback [on the team],” said Rivera, who didn’t say whether he saw him as a starter. “I won’t give you a number at this point.”
Howell said he’s not worried about his situation, knowing he’s the only quarterback under contract with Washington for next season.
“All I can do is control what I can control,” he said. “I know there’s probably a lot of decisions to be made. But I’m just gonna go to work and just try to become the best player I can and come back here better than I left. And so I don’t know what the situation would be, but you know, whatever it is. I’ll be ready for it. And I’ll come back ready to play.”
McLaurin was impressed with Howell’s postgame speech (the video is in the below tweet).
“For a rookie to get his first start against a team like that and to play the way he did, overcome some adversity and then give a speech — I’ve heard some good speeches, but not from a young guy like that,” he said.
McLaurin said that he regretted throwing the ball into the stands after the first touchdown. Howell signed a football two minutes after his first career touchdown pass to help the team negotiate with the fan to get it back.
Washington quarterback Carson Wentz let Howell’s family use his suite in the Commanders’ stadium.
Washington (8–8–1) ended a four-game winless streak to avoid its third consecutive losing season.
Dyami Brown saw limited action off the Washington bench, with eight offensive snaps. He notched a tackle on punt coverage on one of his nine special-teams snaps.
Giovani Bernard had a season-high seven carries and 28 rushing yards in Tampa Bay’s 30–17 victory at Atlanta to end the season for Coach Arthur Smith’s Falcons at 7–10. Jalen Dalton wasn’t active for the game for Atlanta.
Interim coach Jeff Saturday’s Indianapolis Colts finished the season with seven consecutive losses after they beat the Las Vegas Raiders in Saturday’s debut. The Colts lost 32–31 to the Houston Texans to finish 4–12–1.
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For the Texans, M.J. Stewart Jr. had four tackles, a special-teams assist and a fumble recovery in 45 total snaps. Offensive lineman Charlie Heck played four special-teams snaps.
Michael Carter started in the New York Jets’ 11–6 Sunday victory over Miami, rushing four yards on three carries and catching two passes for a net gain of one yard with a six-yard reception. He played 18 total snaps compared to 17 for former N.C. State running back Bam Knight, who ran for 22 yards on 12 carries.
Ty Chandler had six carries for 20 yards in Minnesota’s 29–13 win at Chicago in 12 offensive snaps.
Tomon Fox had four tackles, one for a loss, and a special-teams tackle in the New York Giants’ 22–16 loss at Philadelphia. He played all 73 defensive snaps and 17 snaps on special teams.
The Eagles’ Robert Quinn returned after a stint on injured reserve with a knee injury and had no statistics in 18 defensive snaps.
In the Las Vegas Raiders’ 31–13 Saturday home loss to Kansas City, Mack Hollins had two catches for 15 yards.
James Hurst started at left tackle and played all 60 offensive snaps for New Orleans in the Saints’ 20–7 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Andre Smith had one special-teams tackle and one special-teams assist in 10 special-teams snaps during Tennessee’s 20–16 Saturday loss at Jacksonville.
Mitchell Trubisky didn’t play in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season-ending 28–14 home win over Cleveland.
Marcus Allen, Minnesota Vikings cornerback
Age 22 | 6–1, 197 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–25
Roster situation — Third string right cornerback
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 29 tackles, 7 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 0.5 of a sack, 8 passes defended
Camp opens — Sunday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Austin Blaske, Los Angeles Rams center
Age 24 | 6–5, 310 | rookie season | UNC 2024–25
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (UNC) —9 games
Camp opens — Saturday
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — First-string fullback
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string left wide receiver
2025 statistics (Jacksonville) — 17 games, 7 starts, 23 catches, 220 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Miami
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Philadelphia, Fox
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
2025 statistics (Arizona) — 14 games, 5 starts, 92 carries, 331 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 33 catches on 39 targets, 267 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New York Jets, CBS
Ty Chandler, New Orleans Saints running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back; fourth-string kick returner
2025 statistics (Minnesota) — 3 games, 17 carries, 47 yards (5 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 11 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Thaddeus Dixon, New York Giants cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — On season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles during rookie minicamp in May
2025 statistics (UNC) —7 games, 13 tackles, 6 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 6 passes defended
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 24 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2025 statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rush, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 at New England
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Third-string left tackle
2025 statistics — Missed season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 25 vs. Minnesota
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 vs. Dallas, NBC
Tomon Fox, Los Angeles Rams linebacker
Age 28 | 6–3, 260 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics (Giants) —9 games, 5 tackles
Camp opens — Saturday
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
Amari Gainer, New England Patriots linebacker
Age 26 | 6–3, 240 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string left inside linebacker
2025 statistics (Las Vegas) —17 games, 3 tackles, 3 assists, 2 solo tackles
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 16 games, 15 starts, 94 tackles, 65 assists, 7 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at Houston
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Charlie Heck, Miami Dolphins offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string right tackle
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay)— 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Washington
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Los Angeles Raiders, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2025 statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Green Bay, NFL Network
Season opener —1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Atlanta, Fox
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 12 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 1 interception
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Denver
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Pittsburgh, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string nickelback
2025 statistics — 2 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception, 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (Eagles) —Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at Baltimore
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Washington, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
2025 statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 354 of 492, 4,494 (72 longest), 71.9%, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses), 113.5 rating; 103 carries, 450 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 3 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Bryson Nesbit, Minnesota Vikings tight end
Age 23 | 6–5, 228 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–24
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
Camp opens — Sunday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2025 statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Jacksonville
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Detroit, Fox
Jahvaree Ritzie, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle
Age 23 | 6–4, 294 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fourth-string defensive tackle
2025 statistics (New England) —Spent season on practice squad
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Kaimon Rucker, Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Age 24 | 6–2, 265 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–24
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Third-string free safety
2025 statistics — 9 games, no statistics
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 11 games, 4 tackles
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Dallas, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 9 vs. New England, NBC
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics (Buffalo) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Smith Vilbert, Minnesota Vikings defensive end
Age 25 | 6–6, 282 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — Third-string defensive end
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 11 tackles, 11 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack, 2 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 11 games, 2 starts, 6 catches, 136 yards (38 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Photo via @Commanders
