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.
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 23 | 6–0, 195 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string WR behind Terry McLaurin
38–10 Sunday loss vs. Dallas — 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards, 83.3 passer rating; 7 offensive snaps (14%), 12 special-teams snaps (55%)
Season statistics — 17 games, 1 start; 12 catches, 164 yards (35 longest), 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards; 1 assist; 2 special-teams tackles; 1 special-teams assist; 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards, 83.3 passer rating
Season over — The Commanders finished 4–13.
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Competing for time with James Conner, Earl Demercado and Keaontay Ingram
21–20 Sunday loss vs. Seattle