By R.L. Bynum
NFL teams waived seven former UNC players in the last week, many on Tuesday when rosters had to be trimmed to 53 players ahead of season openers the weekend after next. Rookie wide receiver Antoine Green was among those making the cut after an impressive final exhibition game for the Detroit Lions.
Tar Heels getting cut were fullback Jake Bargas by New Orleans, defensive back Miles Dorn by Miami, linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants, cornerback Kyler McMichael by Arizona, wide receiver Dazz Newsome by San Francisco, linebacker Andre Smith by Atlanta and rookie nose tackle Raymond Vohasek by Jacksonville.
Many of those players could end up on practice squads, possibly with the same teams.
There are 18 UNC alums on NFL rosters, including Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes, who played one season at Carolina, and New York Giants right tackle Marcus McKethan, who missed his rookie season with a torn ACL.
The Tar Heels’ total of 18 is sixth among ACC programs behind Clemson (36), Miami (25), Virginia Tech (22), N.C. State (21) and Pittsburgh (19).
While several UNC alums sat out the final exhibition games last weekend, Green stood out among those who played. Green, listed as third string, had three receptions for 97 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown reception.
Two other rookies on NFL rosters are Indianapolis wide receiver Josh Downs and Dallas left offensive guard Asim Richards.
Bargas’ release was a bit of a surprise, considering he was listed as the backup fullback during camp. He didn’t play in their last exhibition game after catching one pass for two yards during the preseason.
Dorn, who had three tackles and one assist in two exhibition games, spent three seasons with Minnesota, playing once, before signing with Miami on Aug. 2.
Fox, who played 16 games and started once last season, was listed as the third-string rush (outside) linebacker. He had two tackles in the Giants’ last exhibition game against the New York Jets.
McMichael didn’t play in the Arizona Cardinals’ final exhibition before they waived him. The team listed him as fifth string during camp.
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Newsome couldn’t move up on the Niners depth chart before getting released. He caught one pass for nine yards during the preseason. Chicago drafted him, and he was briefly on Kansas City’s practice squad last season before signing with San Francisco on Nov. 14.
Smith had three tackles and five assists in the Atlanta Falcons’ final exhibition before the team released him. He was the Falcons’ third-string left inside linebacker during camp.
Vohasek, who played five games last season at UNC as a graduate student before missing the rest of the season because of injury, was one of the Jaguars’ final cuts after being their third-string nose tackle during camp.
Playing time will likely be hard to come with the New York Jets for Michael Carter, a third-string running back behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook.
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 9 catches, 94 yards (48 longest); 48.7 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade
Week 6 — 49ers 23, Commanders 17 (road on Monday) | didn’t start: 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 33 offensive snaps (49%), 13 special-teams snaps (13%); 50.9 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade; 2.1 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics — 2 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 16 offensive snaps (25%); 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade; 2.4 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 7 games, 5 starts, 26 catches, 307 yards (42 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 72.2 offensive grade, 71.8 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 59.1 run-block grade
Week 7 — Vikings 16, Colts 10 (road) | started: 2 catches on 4 targets, 18 yards (13 longest); 1 punt return, fair catch; 52 offensive snaps (85%); 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 66.2 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, 59.1 run-block grade; 3.8 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 start, 87 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 57.3 offensive grade, 56.8 pass-blocking grade, 62.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (road) | started (first start of season, 11th of his career; usual starters Jaylon Moore sidelined with a concussion); 53 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); season-low 51.7 offensive grade, season-low 51.0 pass-block grade, 51.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 15 tackles, 14 assists, ½ sack; 62.2 defensive grade, 63.7 run grade, 87.6 tackle grade, 52.7 pass-rush grade, 63.4 pass coverage grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 39 defensive snaps (56%), 17 special-teams snaps (63%); season-low 45.9 defensive grade, season-low 36.9 run defense grade, 77.5 tackle grade, 60.5 coverage grade; 3.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 6 games, 4 starts, 80 carries, 289 yards, 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 9 catches, 56 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 62.2 offensive grade, 65.2 pass game grade, 80.5 pass-block grade, 60.9 run grade
Week 6 — Chiefs 22, Chargers 6 (road) | started: 7 carries, 18 yards (4 longest); 4 catches on 4 targets, 21 yards (15 longest); 34 offensive snaps (50%); 58.6 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, season-high 80.4 pass-block grade, 53.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 7.9 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 60.7 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 55.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | 1 assist; forced fumble; 2 defensive snaps (4%), 10 special-teams snaps (53%); season-high 75.7 defensive grade, 64.9 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 62.0 special-teams grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics with Seattle (didn’t play last season; hasn’t played this season); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 6 — Packers 23, Cowboys 13 (road) | didn’t play
Week 7 — 8:15 Monday at Philadelphia, ESPN
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 11 assists, 4 passes defended; 49.1 defensive grade, 89.8 run grade, 62.0 tackle grade, 39.6 coverage grade
Week 7 — Falcons 29, 49ers 20 (home) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 17 defensive snaps (26%), 3 special-teams snaps (13%); season-high 89.4 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, season-high 80.7 tackle grade, season-high 87.1 coverage grade; 2.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Week 6 (season debut) — Texans 34, Jaguars 31 (in London) | 13 special-teams snaps (45%); 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts; 128 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps; 54.2 offensive grade, 44.8 pass-blocking grade, 63.9 run-blocking grade
Week 6 — Panthers 25, Eagles 14 (home) | started: 64 offensive snaps (100%); season-high 66.4 offensive grade, season-high 66.9 pass-block grade; season-high 63.9 run-block grade
Week 7 — 8:15 Monday vs. Dallas, ESPN
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday at Washington, NBC
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 141 of 214, 1,784 yards (8.3 average), 13 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 13 sacks (59 yards in losses), 96.4 passer grade; 38 carries, 211 yards, 5.6 average, 2 touchdowns; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 79.7 offensive grade, 77.5 pass grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Bears 30, Patriots 24 (road on Thursday) | started: 24 of 31, 321 yards, 2 sacks (11 yards in losses), 2 TDs (48-yard pass to R. Stevenson as first half ended; 30-yard pass to E. Raridon, 3:46, third quarter), 1 interception, 117.8 passer grade; 4 carries, team-high 26 yards (15 longest), 1 TD (7-yard run,11:33, second quarter); 54 offensive snaps (100%); 74.8 offensive grade, 73.5 passer grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 28.44 fantasy points
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Miami, 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
Season statistics — 7 games, 317 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 50.9 offensive grade, 49.0 pass-blocking grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | started: called for false start; 57 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); 55.4 offensive grade, 58.2 pass grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 8 — Open date
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety (activated from PUP list on Oct. 10)
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 pass defended; 49.9 defensive grade, 44.8 run defense grade, 43.9 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade
Week 7 — Giants 27, Texans 21 (home) | started (regular starting safety Reed Blankenship out with a concussion and hand injury): 5 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended; 63 defensive snaps (95%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); 50.5 defensive grade, 31.6 run defense grade, 49.1 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade; 10.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — Open date
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 52.6 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (home) | not active for fourth consecutive game (calf injury)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday vs. Chicago, ESPN
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 with Buffalo (hasn’t played this season) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.2 offensive grade, 55.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Bengals 35, Ravens 13 (home) | didn’t start: no statistics; 20 offensive snaps (30%), 6 special-teams snaps (24%); 57.5 offensive grade, 53.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 starts, 85 carries, 317 yards (3.7 average), 7 touchdowns; 19 catches, 103 yards (17 longest), 5.4 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 69.8 offensive grade, 81.9 pass grade, 58.4 pass-block grade, 70.2 run grade
Week 6 — Packers 23, Cowboys 13 (road) | started: 11 carries, 41 yards (8 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard run, 9:19, 3rd quarter); 2 catches on 2 targets, 9 yards (9 longest); 57 offensive snaps (73%); 67.7 offensive grade, season-low 63.4 pass grade, 54.6 pass-block grade, 70.2 run grade; 13.0 fantasy points
Week 7 — 8:15 Monday at Philadelphia, ESPN
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, 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
— Houston running back British Brooks (hamstring injury)
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
— New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf injury)
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— 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
— Cornerback Marcus Allen (with injury settlement) by Minnesota; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— 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
