By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell looked good in his first game as an NFL starter, playing a little more than a quarter.
Howell completed 9 of 12 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown for a 119.1 rating in 19 snaps over three drives as the Washington Commanders won their exhibition opener Friday at Cleveland 17–15.
“I thought it was solid,” said Howell, who was sacked on Washington’s first drive. “Obviously, got off to a slow start with the first two drives, but I thought the third drive was really good. I was proud of our guys with how we battled back after a rough two drives, and we gave up a safety. Think our ability to bounce back was definitely good, and we put some good things on film.”
Howell is learning a new system under first-year offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who coached Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City the past few seasons.
“You’ve got to change your mindset from a decision-making standpoint and to learn new concepts and learning how to tie your feet to those concepts and trying to make good decisions in practice and then turn it over into games,” Howell said. “I think I’ve come a long way just from my knowledge of football and understanding what we’re trying to do on offense and what the defense is doing trying to stop this.”
After only playing in the season finale of his rookie season, he showed poise in the pocket to avoid pressure while still looking for open receivers. When there was nothing there, he threw the ball away, as he did on a first-down play at the Washington 5.
When the pocket collapsed on a third-and-six in the first quarter, he ran eight yards for a first down.
“Very encouraged. A lot of good things,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “I thought, again, he threw some really good balls. I thought the decision-making was what you want. He looked to have command of things, and it was good to see him get into a rhythm.”
In leading a 10-play, 80-yard second-quarter scoring drive, Howell scrambled before connecting with tight end Cole Turner for 13 yards down the right side on a fourth-and-three at the Browns 39.
“The defense did a good job of covering the concept we had, so I tried to get out of the pocket and make something happen, and Cole did a really good job just getting open,” Howell said. “We practice the scramble drill a lot.”
On the next play, he hit Jahan Dotson on a 26-yard touchdown pass.
“Cole did a good job on the touchdown,” Howell said. “We knew we were going to get man coverage, and we knew that’s a route that Jahan is really good at, and he could have made my job easy.”
Third-year Washington wide receiver Dyami Brown caught one of two passes targeted to him for 14 yards in his 19 snaps. All of his targets came from former N.C. State quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Also starting in exhibitions so far this weekend were second-year Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, rookie Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green, second-year New York Giants offensive guard Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb and sixth-year Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart Jr.
In the Vikings’ 24–13 loss Thursday to the Seattle Seahawks, Chandler, still listed as third string, rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries, including a nine-yard run, and caught all four passes thrown to him for 29 yards, including a 13-yard reception.
Green caught all three passes that came his way for 36 yards in the Lions’ 21–16 home victory Friday over the New York Giants. In that game, Fox had one tackle.
Holcomb, in his fifth NFL season but first with the Steelers, had one tackle and one assist in Pittsburgh’s 27–17 road victory over Tampa Bay. It didn’t go well for quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who came off the bench and completed only 1 of 4 passes for 10 yards and was intercepted for a 0.0 rating.
Stewart had one tackle and one special-teams tackle in Houston’s 20–9 road victory Thursday over New England.
Tar Heels who sat out games so far this weekend were Houston offensive tackle Charlie Heck (on the PUP list), Atlanta wide receiver Mack Hollins and Denver running back Javonte Williams.
The Miami Dolphins have signed fourth-year safety Myles Dorn, who played five games last season for the Minnesota Vikings and participated in offseason workouts with the Carolina Panthers. Making the team may be challenging; he’s listed on the depth chart as fifth string.
In Miami’s 19–3 home loss to Atlanta on Friday, Dorn had one tackle and one special-teams assist. For the Falcons, linebacker Andre Smith had two tackles.
James Hurst, who played tackle last season, has shifted to left guard for the New Orleans Saints and is battling Andrus Peat for the starting job. The Saints face Tennessee at 1 p.m. Sunday (CBS).
Entering his 10th NFL season, Hurst could become one of 200 position players in NFL history to play in 150 games after being undrafted.
“It’s a huge blessing,” Hurst told nola.com. “Honestly, it’s hard to believe at times. My first four seasons were scratching and clawing and hoping I make the team.”
Before the official team depth chart was released, Dallas Cowboys rookie offensive lineman Asim Richards was listed as second string on most websites. The official depth chart, though, has him as the third-string left guard behind Tyler Smith and Mann Farniok. Dallas faces Jacksonville at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Cornerback Kyler McMichael is fighting for a roster spot with the Arizona Cardinals, listed as sixth string. In Arizona’s 18–17 home win over Denver on Friday, he had two tackles and forced a fumble.
Several Tar Heels have games the next two days, highlighted by Josh Downs’ first time in an NFL uniform as the Indianapolis Colts visit the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. Saturday.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Wild-card round: Texans 30, Steelers 6 — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 18 special-teams snaps (72%)
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday at New England, ESPN, ABC
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Reserve wide receiver
Season statistics — 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)
Wild-card round: Bills 27, Jaguars 24 — Not active for the game
The Jaguars’ season ended with the loss.
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 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
Week 18: Rams 37, Cardinals 20 — Started; 7 carries, 18 yards (2.6 average, 5 longest); 3 catches on 3 targets, 21 yards (7.0 average, 11 longest); 29 offensive snaps (53%), 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Arizona finished fourth in the NFC West at 3–13.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string kickoff returner; third-string running back
Season statistics — 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
Week 18: Vikings 16, Packers 3 — 10 carries, 23 yards (2.3 average; 5 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 11 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest); 29 offensive snaps (43%), 6 special-teams snaps (26%)
Minnesota finished third in the NFC North at 9–8.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rush, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Week 18: Texans 38, Colts 30 — Started; 1 carry, -5 yards; 4 catches on 4 targets, 61 yards (15.3 average, 30 longest); 1 punt return, 13 yards; 41 offensive snaps (63%), 3 special-teams snaps (8%)
Indianapolis finished third in the AFC South at 8–9.
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season 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 18: Jaguars 41, Titans 7 — Started; 3 tackles, 5 assists; 59 defensive snaps (97%)
Tennessee finished fourth in the AFC South at 3–14.
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starter
Season 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
Wild-card round: Patriots 16, Chargers 3— 1 carry, -1 yards, 2 offensive snaps (3%)
The Chargers’ season ended with the loss.
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 18 games, 1 tackle; 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Week 18: Bucs 16, Panthers 14 — 2 offensive snaps (3%), 5 special-teams snaps (23%)
Tampa Bay finished tied for first in the NFC South at 8–9 but didn’t make the playoffs.
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 18: Steelers 26, Ravens 24 — Played off the bench
Wild-card weekend — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Houston, ABC, ESPN
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles 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 regular season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Wild-card round: 49ers 23, Eagles 19 — Not active for the game
Philadelphia’s season ended with the loss
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 18: Falcons 19, Saints 17 — Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Atlanta finished tie for first in the NFC South at 8–9 but didn’t make the playoffs.
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception (0 return yards), 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Wild-card round: Texans 30, Steelers 6 — Not active for the game
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday at New England, ESPN, ABC
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season 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)
Wild-card round: Patriots 16, Chargers 3— Started; 17 of 29, 268 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 5 sacks (33 yards in losses), 86.6 passer rating; 10 carries, 66 yards (37 longest); 64 offensive snaps (100%)
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, ABC/ESPN
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Week 18: Falcons 19, Saints 17 — Rreported tackle-eligible twice; 56 offensive snaps (82%), 4 special-teams snaps (14%)
New Orleans finished fourth in the NFC South at 6–11.
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yard (9 longest)
Wild-card round: Bills 27, Jaguars 24 — Didn’t play
Divisional round — 4:30 Saturday at Denver, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season 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 18: Steelers 26, Ravens 24 — 2 catches on 2 targets, 46 yards (38 longest), 1 touchdown
Baltimore finished second in the AFC North at 8–9.
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season 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 18: Giants 34, Cowboys 17 — Didn’t play
Dallas finished second in the NFC East at 7–9.
Finished season on IR
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen injury)
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via @Commanders
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