By R.L. Bynum
Josh Downs had the best game of his rookie season, Cole Holcomb had a big day and Ty Chandler made a fake punt work on a Sunday with few bright spots for UNC alums.
Although a touchdown still has eluded Downs through five games, the wide receiver caught all six passes targeted to him Sunday for a season-high 97 yards to put up a season-high 15.7 fantasy points in the Indianapolis Colts’ 23–16 home victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Downs’ highlight came in the second quarter when he leaped in double coverage to catch a 38-yard pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson on a third-and-16 for the Colts’ second-longest catch of the day and Downs’ biggest gain of the season.
Downs created an average separation of 5.19 yards, well above the league average of 2.94.
The NFL week started Thursday with Sam Howell putting up 26.42 fantasy points in a productive effort in Washington’s 40–20 loss to the Chicago Bears. For details on that game, read this earlier Tar Heel Tribune story.
Holcomb had a season-high eight tackles, an assist, a tackle for a loss and hurried the quarterback once in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 17–13 home win over Baltimore. With Kenny Pickett starting at quarterback and playing the whole game, Mitchell Trubisky didn’t play.
Ty Chandler’s only carry for Minnesota in the Vikings’ 27–20 home loss to Kansas City came on that fake punt in the second quarter and it went for 15 yards. Josh Metellus took a direct snap and handed off to Chandler, who began the play at the left end spot. Chandler only played on special teams.
Mack Hollins had two catches for 29 yards for Atlanta in the Falcons’ 21–19 home win over Houston. Mike Hughes played off the bench but had no statistics. M.J. Stewart Jr. played off the bench for the Texans but had no statistics, playing 24 special-teams snaps.
James Hurst started at left guard for New Orleans in the Saints’ 34–0 win at New England.
Denver’s Javonte Williams was inactive for the Broncos’ 31–21 home loss to the New York Jets with a quad injury suffered in the second quarter of their game one week earlier.
For the victorious Jets, running back Michael Carter had one carry for eight yards and three catches for 14. Chazz Surratt played exclusively on special teams, with no statistics.
Joshua Ezeudu started at left tackle and Marcus McKethan at right guard for the New York Giants in their 31–16 loss at Miami. McKethan, who missed his last season with a torn ACL, left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury.
Wide receiver Antoine Green played with no statistics in the Detroit Lions’ 42–24 home win over Carolina.
Asim Richards wasn’t active for Dallas in the Cowboys’ 42–10 loss at San Francisco.
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
40–20 Thursday loss vs. Chicago — 1 catch on 3 targets, 11 yards; 17 offensive snaps (24%), 18 defensive snaps (60%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 6 catches, 87 yards (35 longest), 14.5 average
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, CBS
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
31–21 win at Denver — 1 carry, 8 yards; 3 catches on 3 targets, 14 yards (9 longest); 20 offensive snaps (31%), 2 special-teams snaps (6%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 carries, 31 yards (9 longest), 6.2 average; 9 catches, 44 yards (10 longest), 4.9 average
Up next — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 204 | second NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string RB behind Alexander Mattison
27–20 loss vs. Kansas City — 1 carry, 15 yards; 13 special-teams snaps (54%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 8 carries, 42 yards (15 longest), 5.2 average; 4 catches, 31 yards (18 longest), 7.8 average; 2 kickoff returns, 55 yards (33 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, Fox
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
23–16 win vs. Tennessee — Started; 6 catches on 6 targets, 97 yards (38 longest); 15.7 fantasy points; 47 offensive snaps (71%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 3 starts; 23 catches, 255 yards, 11.1 average (38 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 308 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as second-string left tackle behind Andrew Thomas
31–16 loss at Miami — Started at left tackle; recovered a fumble; had two false-start penalties and a holding penalty; 49 offensive snaps (68%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 4 starts; 256 offensive snaps and 15 special-teams snaps
Up next — 8:30 Sunday at Buffalo, 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.
42–24 win vs. Carolina — No statistics; 11 offensive snaps (18%), 6 special-teams snaps (22%)
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 catch, 1 target, 2 yards
Up next — 4:25 Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 26 | 6–1, 240 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Listed, along with Kwon Alexander, as starting left inside linebacker
17–10 win vs. Baltimore — Started; 8 tackles, 1 assist, 1 tackle for a loss, hurried quarterback once; 64 defensive snaps (91%), 2 special-teams snaps (8%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts; 17 tackles, 12 assists, 3 tackles for a losses, 2 forced fumbles
Up next after Week 6 open date — 4:05 Sunday, Oct. 22, at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Mack Hollins, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Age 30 | 6–4, 221 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Listed as starting wide receiver ahead of KhaDarel Hodge
21–19 win vs. Houston — Didn’t start; 2 catches on 2 targets, 29 yards (19 longest), 4.90 fantasy points; 30 offensive snaps (39%), 4 special-teams snaps (14%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 2 starts; 9 catches, 19 targets, 143 yards (45 longest), 15.9 average
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington, CBS
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback
Age 23 | 6–1, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Starting QB ahead of Jacoby Brissett
40–20 Thursday loss vs. Chicago — Started; 37 of 51, 388 yards (41 longest), 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 5 sacks for 29 yards, 99.1 passer rating; 4 carries for 19 yards, 26.42 fantasy points; 70 snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts; 131 of 191, 1,349 yards, 6 touchdowns, 6 interceptions; 14 carries, 101 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, CBS
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 26 | 5–10, 191 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Second string cornerback behind A.J. Terrell
21–19 win vs. Houston — Played off the bench, no statistics; 8 defensive snaps (14%), 10 special-teams snaps (34%)
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 tackles, 2 assists, 6 punt returns, 41 yards (16 longest), 4 fair catches, 6.8 average; 3 kickoff returns, 46 yards (19 longest), 15.3average
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington, CBS
James Hurst, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 31 | 6–5, 310 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2010–13
Roster situation — Listed as starting left guard ahead of Andrus Peat
34–0 win at New England — Started at left guard; 65 offensive snaps (90%), 6 special-teams snaps (19%)
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts; 349 offensive snaps, 9 special-teams snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, Fox
Marcus McKethan, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–7, 335 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as starting right guard ahead of Mark Glowinski
31–16 loss at Miami — Started at right guard; injured knee in second quarter; 27 offensive snaps (38%), 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Season statistics — 5 games, 4 starts; 220 offensive snaps, 11 special-teams snaps
Up next — 8:30 Sunday at Buffalo, NBC
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–4, 307 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left guard behind Tyler Smith
42–10 loss at San Francisco — Not active for the game
Season statistics — 3 games; 21 offensive snaps, 17 special-teams
Up next — 8:15 Monday at San Diego, ABC, ESPN
Andre Smith, Atlanta Falcons linebacker
Age 26 | 6–0, 240 | 4th NFL season | UNC 2015–17
Roster situation — Not listed on the depth chart; just activated from practice squad
21–19 win vs. Houston — Not active for the game
Season statistics — 1 game, 1 tackle
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington, CBS
M.J. Stewart Jr., Houston Texans safety
Age 28 | 5–11, 200 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety behind Jimmie Ward
21–19 loss at Atlanta — No statistics; 24 special-teams snaps (83%)
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, 2 forced fumbles
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, Fox
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 26 | 6–2, 233 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string linebacker behind Quincy Williams
31–21 win at Denver — Played but no statistics; 22 special-teams snaps (69%)
Season statistics — 5 games, no statistics
Up next — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Age 29 | 6–2, 220 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Kenny Pickett
17–10 win vs. Baltimore — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 1 game, 3 of 5, 18 yards, 3.6 average , 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 67.1 passer rating
Up next after Week 6 open date — 4:05 Sunday, Oct. 22, at Los Angeles Rams, 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
31–21 loss vs. New York Jets — Not active for the game
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts; 38 carries 138 yards (16 longest), 3.6 average; 11 catches, 14 targets, 51 yards (17 longest)
Up next — 8:15 Thursday at Kansas City, Prime Video
On PUP list
Houston left tackle Charlie Heck (undisclosed injury)
On practice squad
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox
Waived during training camp
Fullback Jake Bargas by New Orleans
Defensive back Myles Dorn by Miami
Cornerback Kyler McMichael by Arizona
Wide receiver Dazz Newsome by San Francisco
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 2022 training camp. 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 @Colts
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