By R.L. Bynum
The biggest spotlights will be on Sam Howell and Javonte Williams as the NFL season starts this week, but rookies such as Josh Downs will also be worth watching. Dyami Brown may get more chances early this season, and three other UNC alums moved up on depth charts leading up to this weekend’s openers.
In his second NFL season but first as the Washington Commanders’ starting quarterback, Howell had a productive exhibition season, connecting on 28 of 37 passes in two starts for 265 yards and three touchdowns.
Howell made his NFL debut in last season’s finale, a 26–6 win against the Dallas Cowboys. He started and connected for 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Coach Ron Rivera wanted to give Howell a chance earlier.
“We knew what we thought we had, but we were right in the middle of a frickin’ playoff run,” Rivera said in an ESPN.com story. “We kept hoping we’d blow someone out so we could put him in the second half and finish up a game, but it never got to that point.”
The preseason highlight for Dyami Brown, the Commanders’ third-year wide receiver, was catching an 11-yard touchdown pass from Howell in a 29–28 home win over Baltimore. Brown had four preseason catches for 48 yards.
The Commanders list Brown as a second-string wide receiver behind Terry McLaurin, who suffered a toe injury in the last exhibition game. That injury could give Brown more opportunities. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that Brown’s improvements have impressed the team as well as his ability to make contested catches.
Washington hosts the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m. Sunday (Fox).
Williams returns after tearing his right ACL, MCL and PCL in the fourth game of last season and having surgery, but there are reports that the Denver Broncos may limit his workload as the season begins. He wasn’t put on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list as was reportedly considered, but he only got into one exhibition game. He started and only got three carries for 12 yards.
Under first-year coach Sean Payton, the Broncos are at home against the Las Vegas Raiders at 4:25 Sunday (CBS).
Downs dealt with a minor knee issue in camp, but it wasn’t considered serious. Considering the arm strength of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, Downs could get some chances to bring down some deep balls and make some big plays.
According to The Athletic, Downs was a “volume target” during training camp, and he’s slated to start when Indianapolis opens the season at home against Jacksonville at 1 p.m. Sunday (Fox).
The NFL season began Thursday when the Detroit Lions and rookie wide receiver Antoine Green upset the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 21–20.
The Lions had Green as a third-string wide receiver during camp, but he opened the season as second string behind Marvin Jones Jr. Green was behind Jameson Williams, who the NFL suspended six games for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Green didn’t play in the game.
Minnesota listed Ty Chandler as the third-string running back for most of training camp, but enters the season as second string behind starter Alexander Mattison.
Chandler, who will be the team’s main kickoff returner, was behind Kene Nwangwu, who went on the injured reserve list with lower-back issues and isn’t eligible to return to the active roster until Week 5.
Minnesota plays at home at 1 p.m. Sunday against Tampa Bay (CBS).
Asim Richards was the Dallas Cowboys’ third-string left guard during training camp but they now list him as second string behind Tyler Smith. Richards may get more playing time since Smith is questionable with a minor hamstring injury.
Dallas opens the season at 8:25 Sunday night on the road against the New York Giants (NBC).
Two former Tar Heels are Giants offensive linemen and could get playing time off the bench: second-string right guard Joshua Ezeudu and third-string right tackle Marcus McKethan.
Mack Hollins will play his seventh NFL season for the Atlanta Falcons, his fourth team. He’ll start at a wide receiver spot after only playing one exhibition game, catching both passes targeted to him for 20 yards.
The Falcons host the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday (Fox; WRAZ in the Triangle). Atlanta lists Mike Hughes as a third-string cornerback.
Cole Holcomb left Washington in the offseason and signed a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Beginning his fifth season, he’ll start at left inside linebacker after collecting four tackles and one assist in limited preseason action.
With former Pitt star Kenny Pickett entrenched as the Steelers’ starter, Mitchell Trubisky will be the backup quarterback. In three preseason games, all off the bench, he was 18 of 26 for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Unlike former UNC backfield teammate Williams, Michael Carter is fully healthy. His prospects of playing time — short of injuries to Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook or both — aren’t nearly as good. The Jets list him as third string entering the season after he started two exhibition games, rushing eight times for 20 yards and catching two passes for 34 yards.
If Hall and Cook avoid injuries, the Jets probably could get talent coming back to them if they dealt Carter, who could get more of a chance with another team.
In his third NFL season, Jets teammate Chazz Surratt is in a much better situation as the second-string middle linebacker. He should get more chances this season after playing only one game a year ago. In two preseason games, he had six tackles, one assist and returned an interception for 13 yards.
The Jets play at 8:15 Monday night (ESPN, ABC, ESPN2) at home against the Buffalo Bills.
Ten-year NFL veteran James Hurst is battling Andrus Peat for the New Orleans Saints’ starting left guard spot. They open at home against Tennessee at 1 p.m. Sunday (CBS).
In his sixth NFL season, M.J. Stewart Jr. is a second-string safety with the Houston Texans. He could play more in Sunday’s 1 p.m. opener at Baltimore (CBS), though, since starter Jimmie Ward is questionable with a groin injury.
Fourth-year offensive tackle Charlie Heck is on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury.
Where Tar Heels stand entering the season
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
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 4 catches on 10 targets, 48 yards (16 longest), 1 TD
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string RB behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook
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)
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 8 rushes, 20 yards (7 longest); 2 catches on 2 targets, 34 yards (25 longest)
Season opener — 8:15 Monday 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)
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 65 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, CBS
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 22 | 5–9, 171 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver ahead of Isaiah McKenzie
2022 statistics (with UNC) — 11 games, 94 catches for 1,029 yards, 11 TDs
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 2 starts, 4 catches on 7 targets, 49 yards (18 longest)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday 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
Preseason statistics — Started in three games
Season opener — 8:20 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, NBC
Antoine Green, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–2, 199 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver behind Marvin Jones Jr.
2022 statistics (UNC) — 9 games, 43 catches, 798 yards, 7 TDs
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 7 catches on 8 targets, 151 yards (70 longest), 1 TD
21–20 Thursday win at Kansas City — Didn’t play
Charlie Heck, Houston Texans tackle
Age 26 | 6–8, 311 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Fourth-string left tackle behind Laremy Tunsil, Josh Jones and George Fant; on PUP list with an undisclosed injury
2022 statistics — 13 games, 3 starts; 156 offensive snaps, 49 special-teams snaps
Preseason statistics — Didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday 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
2022 statistics (with Washington) — 7 games, 7 starts; 37 tackles, 32 assists
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 4 tackles, 1 assist, one tackle for a loss
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday 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 Josh Ali
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
Preseason statistics — 1 game, 1 start, 2 catches on 2 targets, 20 yards (10 longest)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday 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%)
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 28 of 37 for 265 yards (26 longest), 3 TDs
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 26 | 5–10, 191 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Third string left cornerback behind A.J. Terrell and Dee Alford (questionable for opener)
2022 statistics (with Detroit Lions) — 16 games, 31 tackles, 16 assists
Preseason statistics — 1 game, 1 start, 2 tackles
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, 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
Preseason statistics — Played two games
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Marcus McKethan, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–7, 335 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as third-string right tackle behind Evan Neal and Matt Pearl
2022 statistics — Missed season with a torn ACL
Preseason statistics — Played three games
Season opener — 8:20 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, NBC
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
Age 22 | 6–4, 307 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Listed as second-string left guard behind Tyler Smith and Matt Farniok
2022 statistics (UNC) — Started all 14 games, earning third-team All-ACC honors, allowing three sacks in 1,049 snaps
Preseason statistics — Played three games
Season opener — 8:20 Sunday at New York Giants, NBC
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 (who is questionable with a groin injury)
2022 statistics — 16 games; 27 tackles, 5 assists, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 7 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 7 tackles, 2 assists
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday 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
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 6 tackles, 1 assist, 1 interception (returned 13 yards)
Season opener — 8:15 Monday vs. Buffalo, ESPN
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Age 29 | 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
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 0 starts, 18 of 26 142 yards (16 longest), 1 TD
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. San Francisco, 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)
Preseason statistics — 1 game, 1 start, 3 carries, 12 yards
Season opener — 4:25 Sunday vs. Las Vegas, CBS
Waived during training camp
Fullback Jake Bargas by New Orleans
Defensive back Myles Dorn by Miami
Linebacker Tomon Fox by New York Giants
Cornerback Kyler McMichael by Arizona
Wide receiver Dazz Newsome by San Francisco
Linebacker Andre Smith by Atlanta
Nose tackle Raymond Vohasek by Jacksonville
Other 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.
Photo via @Commanders; graphic via @UNCFootball
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