By R.L. Bynum
In his debut wearing an NFL uniform, Josh Downs made a case to start for the Indianapolis Colts and, at the very least, showed he’ll get on the field consistently in his rookie season.
In his Colts’ 23–19 road exhibition loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, he caught both passes targeted to him for 29 yards, including an 18-yard reception, and also showed his versatility on his 22nd birthday.
Downs returned four kickoffs for 73 yards, including a 21-yard return, and had a fair catch on a punt.
Entering the game, the Colts listed Downs as second team behind Isaiah McKenzie, in his seventh NFL season out of Georgia. McKenzie started and caught three of four passes for 20 yards and returned one kickoff for 22 yards.
Reports from camp before this weekend indicated that Downs was consistently getting open and was a reliable receiver.
After not playing in the New York Jets’ Hall of Fame Game loss to the Cleveland Browns, Michael Carter made his preseason debut in New York’s 27–0 road win Saturday over the Carolina Panthers.
Carter started, with four carries for 19 yards, including a seven-yard gain. He caught both passes targeted to him for 34 yards, including a 27-yard play.
After playing well for the Jets in the Browns game, Chazz Surratt was inactive for the Panthers game.
Cowboys rookie offensive lineman Asim Richards started in Dallas’ 28–23 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. He’s listed as the third-string left guard behind Tyler Smith and Matt Fariok, but started at left tackle.
Rookie Raymond Vohasek played off the bench for the Jaguars with no statistics. He’s listed as the third-string nose tackle behind DaVon Hamilton and Henry Modeaux.
Week 1 of the exhibition season concludes Sunday, with the New Orleans Saints facing the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. (NFL Network) and the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Las Vegas Raiders. James Hurst is vying for the starting left-guard spot for the Saints, while Jake Bargas is listed as their second-string fullback. Dazz Newsome is battling for a 49ers roster spot, listed as the fourth-string wide receiver.
Get details here of how UNC alums did in Thursday and Friday exhibition games.
Jake Bargas, New Orleans Saints fullback
Age 31 | 6–5, 310 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2010–13
Roster situation — Second-string fullback behind Adam Prentice
2022 statistics — Didn’t play; released in camp first by Vikings, then by Bears; Miami signed him Nov. 9.
Exhibition opener — Saints 26, Chiefs 24 on Sunday: 1 catch on 1 target, 2 yards
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Tennessee, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–0, 195 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string WR behind Terry McLaurin
2022 statistics — 15 games, 5 catches on 12 targets for 143 yards (28.6 average, 75 longest), 2 TDs; 1 rush, 15 yards, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 special-teams assist
Exhibition opener — 17–15 Friday win at Cleveland: 1 catch on 2 targets for 14 yards, 19 snaps
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Arizona, Fox
Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string RB behind Breece Hall (listed as starter with Hall hurt)
2022 statistics — 16 games, 10 starts; 114 carries, 402 yards (25 longest, 3.5 average), 3 TDs; 41 catches on 50 targets, 288 yards (37 longest, 7.0 average)
Exhibition opener — Browns 21, Jets 16 on Aug 3: Didn’t play
Saturday — Jets 27, Panthers 0: Started, 4 carries, 19 yards (7 longest); 2 catches on 2 targets, 34 yards (25 longest)
Season opener — 8:15 Sunday, Sept. 11, vs. Buffalo, ESPN
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 204 | second NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Third-string RB behind Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu
2022 statistics — 3 games, 6 carries, 20 yards (10 longest)
Exhibition opener — Seahawks 24, Vikings 13 on Thursday: Started, 11 rushes, 41 yards (9 longest), 4 catches on 4 targets, 29 yards (13 longest)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Tampa Bay, CBS
Myles Dorn, Miami Dolphins safety
Age 25 | 6–2, 204 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2016–19
Roster situation — Fifth-string safety behind Jevon Holland, Elijah Campbell, Verone McKinley III and Keldron Smith
2022 statistics (with Vikings) — 5 games, 1 tackle, 1 assist
Exhibition opener — Falcons 19, Dolphins 3 in Miami on Friday: 1 tackle, 1 special-teams assist
Season opener — 4:25 Sunday, Sept. 10, at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 22 | 5–9, 171 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver behind Isaiah McKenzie
2022 statistics (with UNC) — 11 games, 94 catches for 1,029 yards, 11 TDs
Exhibition opener — Bills 23, Colts 19 on Saturday: Didn’t start, 2 catches on 2 targets, 29 yards (18 longest), 1 punt fair catch, 4 kickoff returns, 73 yards (21 longest)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–4, 308 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as second-string right guard behind Mark Glowinski
2022 statistics — 10 games, 2 starts; 245 offensive snaps, 136 special-teams snaps
Exhibition opener — Lions 21, Giants 16 on Friday in Detroit: Started at left guard
Season opener — 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Dallas, NBC
Tomon Fox, New York Giants linebacker
Age 25 | 6–2, 245 | second NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Third-string rush (outside) linebacker behind Kayvon Thibodeaux and Oshane Ximines
2022 statistics — 13 games, 3 starts; 11 tackles, 9 assists, 1 sack, 1 special-teams tackle
Exhibition opener — Lions 21, Giants 16 on Friday in Detroit: Started, 1 tackle
Season opener — 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Dallas, NBC
Antoine Green, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–2, 199 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver behind Marvin Jones Jr. and Jameson Williams
2022 statistics (UNC) — 9 games, 43 catches, 798 yards, 7 TDs
Exhibition opener — Lions 21, Giants 16 on Friday in Detroit: Started, 3 catches on 3 targets for 36 yards (24 longest)
Season opener — 8:20 Thursday, Sept. 7, at Kansas City, NBC
Charlie Heck, Houston Texans tackle
Age 26 | 6–8, 311 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Third-string left tackle behind Laremy Tunsil and George Fant; on PUP list with an undisclosed injury
2022 statistics — 13 games, 3 starts; 156 offensive snaps, 49 special-teams snaps
Exhibition opener — Texans 20, Patriots 9 on Thursday; didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Baltimore, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 26 | 6–1, 240 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker ahead of Kwon Alexander or Tanner Muse
2022 statistics (with Washington) — 7 games, 7 starts; 37 tackles, 32 assists
Exhibition opener — Steelers 27, Bucs 17 Friday in Tampa: Started, 1 tackle, 1 assist
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. San Francisco, Fox
Mack Hollins, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Age 29 | 6–4, 221 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver ahead of Frank Darby, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Xavier Malone
2022 statistics (with Las Vegas Raiders) — 17 games, 13 starts; 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards; 4 rushes, 40 yards (10.0 average; 17 longest); 57 catches on 90 targets, 690 yards (12.1 average, 60 longest), 4 TDs
Exhibition opener — Falcons 19, Dolphins 3 at Miami on Friday: Didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Carolina, Fox
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback
Age 22 | 6–1, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Starting QB ahead of Jacoby Brissett and Jake Fromm
2022 statistics (1 game; a win over Dallas) — 11 of 19, 169 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception, 83.0 rating; 5 rushes, 35 yards (10 longest); 66 offensive snaps (100%)
Exhibition opener — 17–15 Friday win at Cleveland: Started, 9 of 12 for 77 yards (26 longest), 1 TD, 0 INTs, 119.1 rating; 1 carry, 8 yards, 21 snaps
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Arizona, Fox
James Hurst, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 31 | 6–5, 310 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2010–13
Roster situation — Vying for starting left-guard spot with Andrus Peat
2022 statistics — 14 games; 14 starts, 1 fumble recovery, 1 tackle on an interception return; 975 offensive snaps, 36 special-teams snaps
Exhibition opener — Saints 26, Chiefs 24 on Sunday: Started at left guard
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Tennessee, CBS
Kyler McMichael, Arizona Cardinals cornerback
Age 31 | 6–0, 202 | second NFL season | UNC 2010–13
Roster situation — Sixth-string cornerback behind Antonio Hamilton Sr., Christian Matthew, Garrett Williams, Rashad Fenton and Quavian Whiten
2022 statistics — Didn’t play; spent much of last season on Buffalo’s practice squad, Bills released him on June 7, and Arizona claimed him off waivers on June 8
Exhibition opener — Cardinals 18, Broncos 17 in Glendale, Ariz., on Friday: 2 tackles, 1 forced fumble
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Washington, Fox
Dazz Newsome, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Age 24 | 5–10, 284 | second NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string wide receiver behind Deebo Samuel, Ray-Ray McCloud III and Ronnie Bell
2022 statistics — Didn’t play; Chicago waived him during training camp last season. He was on Kansas City’s practice squad for two days, and San Francisco signed him to the practice squad on Nov. 15 and to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 31.
Exhibition opener — Raiders 34, 49ers 7 on Sunday: Played but had no statistics
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Pittsburgh, Fox
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
Age 22 | 6–4, 307 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Listed as third-string left guard behind Tyler Smith and Matt Fariok
2022 statistics (UNC) — Started all 14 games, earning third-team All-ACC honors, allowing three sacks in 1,049 snaps
Exhibition opener — Jaguars 28, Cowboys 23 on Saturday: Started at left tackle
Season opener — 8:20 Sunday, Sept. 10, at New York Giants, NBC
Andre Smith, Atlanta Falcons linebacker
Age 26 | 6–0, 240 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–17
Roster situation — Fourth-string left inside linebacker behind Troy Andersen, Mykal Walker and Nate Landman
2022 statistics (with Tennessee Titans) — 5 games; 3 tackles, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 special-teams assist
Exhibition opener — Falcons 19, Dolphins 3 at Miami on Friday: 2 tackles
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Carolina, Fox
M.J. Stewart Jr., Houston Texans safety
Age 27 | 5–11, 200 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety behind Jimmie Ward
2022 statistics — 16 games; 27 tackles, 5 assists, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 7 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Exhibition opener — Texans 20, Patriots 9 Thursday in New England: Started, 1 tackle, 1 special-teams tackle
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Baltimore, CBS
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 26 | 6–2, 233 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string middle linebacker behind C.J. Mosley
2022 statistics — 1 game, one tackle
Exhibition opener — Browns 21, Jets 16 on Aug 3: 3 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 1 special-teams tackle (punt coverage)
Saturday — Jets 27, Panthers 0: Didn’t play
Season opener — 8:15 Sunday, Sept. 11, vs. Buffalo, ESPN
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Age 28 | 6–2, 220 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Kenny Pickett
2022 statistics — 7 games, 5 starts; 117 of 180, 1,252 yards (45 longest), 4 TDs, 5 INTs, 11 sacks; 19 rushes, 38 yards, 1 TD
Exhibition opener — Steelers 27, Bucs 17 on Friday in Tampa Bay: 1 of 4, 10 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 0.0 rating
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. San Francisco, Fox
Raymond Vohasek, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–2, 311 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Third-string nose tackle behind DaVon Hamilton and Henry Mondeaux
2022 statistics (with UNC) — 5 games; 6 tackles, 8 assists, 1 tackle for a loss
Exhibition opener — Jaguars 28, Cowboys 23 on Saturday: Played off the bench, no statistics
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Indianapolis, Fox
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
Age 23 | 5–10, 220 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Samaje Perine
2022 statistics — 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)
Exhibition opener — Cardinals 18, Broncos 17 in Glendale, Ariz., on Friday: Didn’t play
Season opener — 4:25 Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Las Vegas, CBS
Free agents
Aaron Crawford, defensive tackle — Baltimore released him in training camp before last season; the New York Giants signed him Nov. 8 but released him the next day.
Jalen Dalton, defensive tackle — Atlanta waived him on June 7 (he had 8 tackles, 5 assists in 7 games for the Falcons last season), Carolina claimed him June 8 but waived him June 12 with a failed physical designation.
Jeremiah Gemmel, linebacker — San Francisco released him early last season, then Denver signed and later released him.
Bug Howard, tight end — Tampa Bay released him during training camp last season on an injury settlement. He signed with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars on Feb. 8 but they put him on the inactive list on March 19.
Austin Proehl, wide receiver — The New York Giants released him last season during training camp. He played this spring for the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. In nine games, he caught 25 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown.
Robert Quinn, defensive tackle — His contract expired after finishing last season with Philadelphia. The 33-year-old veteran played 13 games, with seven starts, eight tackles (1 for a loss), two assists and one sack.
Jordan Tucker, defensive tackle — Pittsburgh released him during training camp last season. He signed with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in the offseason and didn’t make the roster in preseason but is back on their roster.
Antonio Williams, running back — He was briefly on the New York Giants’ practice squad last season but was released on Oct. 5. He signed on Feb. 13 with the CFL’s BC Lions, who released him on June 27.
Retired in offseason
Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay, after 10 seasons
Photo via @Colts
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