By R.L. Bynum
After only playing in the season finale of his rookie season, the Washington Commanders are giving Sam Howell a chance to show his talent on the field this season. One of his former UNC targets, wide receiver Josh Downs, one of four rookie alums, has a shot at starting for the Indianapolis Colts.
Of the 22 Tar Heels in NFL training camps, Howell is one of four expected to start and would take control of the offense for a franchise in transition in many ways. The team has a new owner, as well as a new offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, who came over from Kansas City.
“I think, at this point, I have total command of the offense,” Howell, who broke multiple records at UNC, told commanders.com. “I studied a lot this summer and tried to get really comfortable with the system, obviously because it’s new, and just tying my feet into the concepts that we’re running.”
The 32 UNC alums in NFL camps are up from 28 at the start of camp last season.
Veteran running back Giovani Bernard retired after getting limited playing time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his 10th season. Veteran defensive tackle Robert Quinn is a free agent after Chicago traded him midseason, and he finished last season with the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Eight other Tar Heels who have at least gone to NFL camps previously are free agents (see list at the bottom).
Javonte Williams, who tore his right ACL and LCL four games into last season after running for 1,219 yards in his rookie NFL season, is expected to start for the Denver Broncos under new coach Sean Payton after a long recovery period.
“It was hard at first … but each week my confidence got bigger and bigger,’’ Williams, picked in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, told ESPN. “Now that I’m back on the field, I think this is the highest that [my confidence] has ever been.’’
Williams isn’t sure if he’ll play in any exhibition games.
Two Tar Heels who changed teams in the offseason are likely starters: linebacker Cole Holcomb, who moved from the Washington Commanders to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and wide receiver Mack Hollins, who went from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Atlanta Falcons.
Holcomb couldn’t participate in any offseason drills while recovering from December foot surgery but was ready to go at training camp after signing a three-year, $18-million deal in March.
“It felt good getting back in the swing of things,” he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It’s been a while. It felt awesome to be out there and playing ball again.”
While Downs isn’t penciled in as a starter, he has a chance to be in the lineup for the Colts’ season opener with impressive training camp and preseason performances.
Downs, Indianapolis’ third-round pick in the NFL Draft, was sidelined during OTAs with a knee injury but was 100% as camp began.
“As far as the transition from college to here, it’s not as bad,” Downs said. “It’s much faster, of course, so I’ve just got to play faster. I wouldn’t say it’s too overwhelming for me.
“The coverages are different, they disguise a lot more, they run a lot of different variations. So I got to really learn more of that. But otherwise, I’d say my dad, he’s prepared me a lot for this,” said Downs, whose father Gary Downs is the running backs coach at East Tennessee State. “I played football since I was six years old. So I have a pretty good feel for the game. So now I’m just adjusting to the new level.”
The other three rookie alums all have shots at playing time.
Asim Richards is listed as second-string left guard with the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green and Jacksonville Jaguars nose tackle Raymond Vohasek have a chance to be second string.
Veteran New Orleans offensive lineman James Hurst started all 14 Saints games last season but is listed on depth charts as second-string left tackle behind Taylor Penning at the start of camp. Penning missed most of his rookie year last season, tearing a ligament in a foot in September.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky started five games for the Pittsburgh Steelers but lost his job to Kenny Pickett and enters training camp as the backup to the former Pitt star.
“When things go how they go during the season last year and you’re pushed into a new role, you have some personal feelings you’ve got to set aside,” Trubisky said. “You just embrace the role to help the team for the common good. I want this team to win. I want to help all the guys be as successful as they can.”
Others listed on depth charts as second string are New Orleans Saints fullback Jake Bargas, Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, New York Jets running back Michael Carter, Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, New York Giants left guard Joshua Ezeudu, Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart Jr. and New York Jets middle linebacker Chazz Surratt.
Carter is confident after putting in the work in the offseason.
“It is always about trying to take it to the next level,” Carter told newyorkjets.com. “And I came in looking a little bit different this year. I actually came in a bit slimmer this year. … Everything is about endurance in the NFL. Who can run the longest and who can last the longest.”
There are reports, though, that the Jets may sign running back Dalvin Cook, which would reduce Carter’s role.
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox is listed as the third string weakside linebacker.
The Houston Texans placed right tackle Charlie Heck, who started three games last season, on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list with an undisclosed injury, and he’s listed as third string.
UNC alums who probably will have to battle to make rosters are Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kyler McMichael (listed as fifth string), San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dazz Newsome (fourth string), Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith (fourth string).
Former UNC guard Arthur Smith returns for his third season as the Atlanta Falcons coach.
Two other former Carolina players are assistant coaches, with Ronald Curry the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints and Dre Bly the Detroit Lions’ quarterbacks coach.
Clyde Christensen was an NFL assistant coach for 26 years, last season as the Tampa Bay Bucs’ quarterbacks coach, but joined the UNC staff in the offseason as an offensive analyst.
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Rundown of Tar Heels in NFL camps
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Third-string running back
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Week 1 — Bills 36, Texans 31 | played off the bench with no statistics
Week 2 — Bengals 20, Texans 6 | 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 20 special-teams snaps; 57.1 PFF special-teams grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right 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)
Week 1 — Eagles 24, Commanders 22 | didn’t start: 0 catches on 2 targets; 37 offensive snaps (53%); 48.3 PFF offensive grade
Week 2 — Cowboys 37, Commanders 20 | started: 4 catches on 6 targets, 21 yards (18 longest); 1 of 1 passing, 0 yards, 79.2 passer rating; 1 fumble (lost); 39 offensive snaps (55%); 4.1 fantasy points; 47.1 PFF offensive grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Seattle, Fox
Week 4 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis in London, NFL Network
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 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 rushes, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Week 1 — Ravens 41, Colts 23 | didn’t start: 2 catches on 4 targets, 37 yards (25 longest); 2 fair catches on punt returns; 48 offensive snaps (89%); 3 special-teams snaps (10%); 6.7 fantasy points; 66.0 PFF offensive grade, team-leading 65.8 pass grade
Week 2 — Chiefs 33, Colts 30 | didn’t start; 7 catches on 9 targets, 72 yards (20 longest); 54 offensive snaps (83%); 14.20 fantasy points; team-leading 83.2 PFF offensive grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Week 4 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Washington in London, NFL Network
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — (with New York Giants) Missed the season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Week 1 — Chiefs 31, Broncos 10 (Monday) | 3 offensive snaps (4%)
Week 2 — Chiefs 33, Colts 30 | 1 offensive snap (1%), 1 special-teams snap (3%); 60.0 PFF offensive grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, CBS
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday at Las Vegas, CBS
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
Week 1 — Jets 23, Titans 10 | not active for the game (concussion)
Week 2 — Eagles 24, Titans 20 | didn’t start; 3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 tackle for a loss; 30 defensive snaps (39%), 14 special-teams snaps (61%); 3.5 fantasy points; 56.3 PFF defensive grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, 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
Week 1 — Cardinals 26, Chargers 14 | started: 12 carries, 43 yards, (14 longest), 1 touchdown (8-yard run); fumbled, and it was lost; 58 offensive snaps (58%); 8.3 fantasy points; 57.6 PFF offensive grade; 72.6 PFF pass-blocking grade
Week 2 — Raiders 26, Chargers 14 | started; 23 carries, 94 yards (17 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard second-quarter run); 2 catches on 2 targets, 21 yards (18 longest); 1 fumble (lost); 43 offensive snaps (63%); 17.5 fantasy points; 61.7 PFF offensive grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, Fox
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday at Seattle, CBS
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
Week 1 — Steelers 20, Falcons 13 | didn’t start: 1 assist; 3 defensive snaps (5%), 17 special-teams snaps (57%); 64.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 2 — Patriots 20, Steelers 3 | didn’t start: 1 tackle on punt coverage; 18 special-teams snaps (72%); 58.2 PFF special-teams grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, CBS
Week 4 — 8:15 Thursday at Cleveland, Prime Video
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | Started: 4 catches on 5 targets, 51 yards (19 longest); 50 offensive snaps (70%), 8 special-teams snaps (36); 9.1 fantasy points; 72.9 PFF offensive grade (second-highest on the team)
Week 2 — Patriots 20, Steelers 3 | didn’t start: 2 catches on 2 targets, 18 yards (10 longest); 38 offensive snaps (71%), 1 special-teams snap (4%); 3.8 fantasy points; 61.8 PFF offensive grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup 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
Week 1 — Giants 28, Cowboys 20 | Didn’t play
Week 2 — Cowboys 37, Commanders 20 | Didn’t play; last played in a regular-season game on Jan. 7, 2024, for Washington against Dallas
Week 3 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Baltimore in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 3 games, 11 tackles, 4 assists, 2 passes defended; 47.2 defensive grade
Week 1 — Steelers 20, Falcons 13 | started: 3 tackles; 67 defensive snaps (100%); 57.9 PFF defensive grade
Week 2 — Panthers 34, Falcons 3 | started: 2 tackles, 3 assists; 66 defensive snaps (100%); 51.8 PFF defensive grade
Week 3 — Falcons 35, Packers 14 | started: 6 tackles, 1 assist; 56 defensive snaps (85%); 43.2 defensive grade; 6.5 fantasy points
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday at New Orleans, ESPN
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Week 1 — Eagles 24, Commanders 22 | 4 special-teams snaps (13%); 55.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 2 — Eagles 24, Titans 20 | 4 special-teams snaps (17%); 58.2 PFF special-teams grade
Week 3 — 8:15 Monday at Chicago, ESPN
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, 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)
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | started: 23 of 33, 178 yards (19 longest), 178 yards, 1 touchdown (two-yard pass to Eli Raridon), 3 interceptions, 3 sacks (10 yards), 54.9 passer rating; 7 carries, 47 yards (16 longest); 71 offensive snaps (100%); 12.82 fantasy points; 55.1 PFF offensive grade; 50.7 PFF offensive grade
Week 2 — Patriots 20, Steelers 3 | started: 13 of 22, 208 yards (63 longest), 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, 3 sacks (17 yards), 75.6 passer rating; 4 carries, 17 yards (13 longest); 55 offensive snaps (100%); 9.02 fantasy points; 54.4 PFF offensive grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, 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
Week 1 — Lions 31, Saints 30 | didn’t start: played 5 special-teams snaps (15%); 60.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 2 — Saints 24, Ravens 17 | didn’t start: played 28 offensive snaps (41%), 4 special-teams snaps (17%); 54.9 PFF offensive grade; 60.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 3 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Las Vegas, CBS
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday vs. Atlanta, ESPN
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
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | 1 tackle on kickoff coverage, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; called for a roughing-the-kicker penalty; 17 special-teams snaps (77%); 1.5 fantasy points; 46.8 special-teams grade (second-lowest on the team)
Week 2 — Seahawks 31, Cardinals 7 | didn’t start: recovered a fumble on kickoff coverage; 2 defensive snaps (4%), 17 special-teams snaps (74%); 62.8 PFF special-teams grade
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Washington, Fox
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
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)
Week 1 — Jets 23, Titans 10 | didn’t play
Week 2 — Eagles 24, Titans 20 | didn’t play
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string 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
Week 1 — Ravens 41, Colts 23 | not active for game (groin injury)
Week 2 — Saints 24, Ravens 17 | didn’t start: 1 catch on 2 targets, 47 yards; 17 offensive snaps (29%), 8 special-teams snaps (35%); 69.7 PFF offensive grade; 61.2 special-teams grade
Week 3 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Dallas in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, 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
Week 1 — Giants 28, Cowboys 20 | started: 12 carries, 41 yards (8 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard touchdown run; 37 seconds left in the third quarter); 5 catches on 5 targets, 31 yards (17 longest), 1 touchdown (17-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, 5:21 left in the fourth quarter); 41 offensive snaps (71%); 24.2 fantasy points; team-leading 78.0 PFF offensive grade; 79.4 PFF pass-blocking grade second on the team
Week 2 — Cowboys 37, Commanders 20 | started: 12 carries, 30 yards (9 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 20 yards (8 longest); 44 offensives snaps (80%); 8.0 fantasy points; 80.6 PFF offensive grade
Week 3 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Baltimore in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, CBS
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, Fox
On season-ending injured reserve
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler; suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game; ran for 45 yards in two preseason games
On injured reserve
— Minnesota cornerback Marcus Allen; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On PUP list
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart (torn quad), who didn’t play during the preseason
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— Tennessee running back Michael Carter by Tennessee; had three catches for 20 yards and a 43-yard kickoff return in the last preseason game
— Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
— Minnesota defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie; had four tackles and three assists in 77 total preseason snaps
— Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker; had 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback hit in their 41–3 preseason win Friday
Waived in camp
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in two preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and two assists in three preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami Dolphins
— Defensive end Smith Vilbert by Minnesota; had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps
Waived with injury designation
— Tight end Bryson Nesbit by Minnesota after collecting 3 catches for 29 yards in two preseason games; had been listed as fifth string
Photo via commanders.com
