By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell threw for three touchdowns, including a huge late one to former UNC teammate Dyami Brown, and produced his fourth game with at least 300 yards this season. It was in a losing effort, but the second-year pro showed why he is the Washington Commanders’ franchise quarterback with another impressive effort.
Howell completed 29 of 44 passes for 312 yards and no interceptions in Washington’s 29–26 loss at Seattle on Sunday, the fourth Commanders loss to come by a one-score margin.
“We just got to find ways, when the game is tied, to go out there and make the plays and take control of the football game,” said Howell, whose passer rating was 109.3, his fourth game of the season with a rating of more than 100. “You don’t want to be in position where you got to go down, make a drive late to tie the game. We would like to be on the other side.”
Howell threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes, connecting with Antonio Gibson on a 19-yard score with eight minutes left and Brown for 35 yards with 52 seconds left to tie it at 26.
It was Brown’s first touchdown of the season and third of his three-year career. He had two catches for 41 yards.
But Seattle kicker Jason Myers won the game for the Seahawks on a 43-yard field goal as time expired.
“Credit to our defense for most of the game, just keeping us in it,” Howell said. “We made some plays down the stretch but got to be better throughout the game to beat good teams like that.”
Washington’s game plan was to win with Howell’s arm, as the Commanders only ran the ball five times in the first half and 14 times in the game.
“Everything I thought he did, he gave us an opportunity to win,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “That’s the biggest thing you can ask from the quarterback, put you in position to win. He did that, Now, there were a couple things that you would like to have back, obviously. Couple decisions that could have been better and those are things that I’m nitpicking but things he’s going to learn and he’ll get better with.”
His only glaring mistake was a third-quarter fumble after a 15-yard run.
“He’s balling, man. He’s showing some crazy stuff. He’s really developed,” offensive lineman Sam Cosmi told The AP after Howell was only sacked three times. “You can see from the beginning of the year to now, I mean, it’s just like, ‘Wow.’ The thing that’s really cool to see, he’s like taking the coaching and he’s putting it out there.”
After Ty Chandler got only eight carries for 42 yards in his first nine games for Minnesota, he ran 15 times for 35 yards and his first NFL touchdown in the Vikings’ 27–19 home victory over New Orleans.
Chandler, who played 40 total snaps, could have had a second score but a holding call wiped out a 29-yard touchdown run.
James Hurst started at left tackle for the Saints, playing all 67 offensive snaps.
Josh Downs, who left last weekend’s game in the first half with a knee injury, didn’t practice last week or start in Indianapolis’ 10–6 victory in Frankfort, Germany. But he caught two passes on three targets for 48 yards, including a 20-yard play, in 14 snaps.
He made a key fourth-quarter catch for 28 yards with the Colts backed up to their 10-yard line.
Mack Hollins wasn’t active for Atlanta’s 25–23 loss at Arizona because of an ankle injury. Mike Hughes had one assist in 23 total snaps off the bench for the Falcons.
In Dallas’ 49–17 victory over the New York Giants, Asim Richards wasn’t active for the Cowboys and offensive lineman Marcus McKethan played 14 total snaps off the bench for the Giants.
Antoine Green played off the bench for Detroit in the Lions’ 41–38 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers but had no statistics in 15 total snaps.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky didn’t play for Pittsburgh in the Steelers’ 23–19 home win over Green Bay.
Houston placed safety M.J. Stewart on injured reserve with a shoulder fracture.
In the New York Jets’ 16–12 Sunday night loss at Las Vegas, Michael Carter had no catches on one target in nine offensive snaps, and Chazz Surratt was inactive for the game.
On Monday night, Javonte Williams had his best game of the season as Denver won at Buffalo 24–22. Get details on his game in this Tar Heel Tribune story.
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
29–26 loss at Seattle — 2 catches on 2 targets, 41 yards (35 longest), 1 TD; 11 offensive snaps (18%), 4 special-teams snaps (11%)
Season statistics — 10 games, 1 start; 10 catches, 161 yards (35 longest), 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Jets released him Tuesday.
16–12 loss at Las Vegas — 0 catches on 1 target; 9 offensive snaps(14%)
Season statistics — 9 games, 8 carries, 38 yards (9 longest); 15 catches, 68 yards (10 longest)
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 204 | second NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string RB behind Alexander Mattison
27–19 win vs. New Orleans — 15 carries, 45 yards (13 longest), 1 TD; 32 offensive snaps (44%), 8 special-teams snaps (28%)
Season statistics — 10 games, 23 carries, 87 yards (15 longest), 1 TD; 5 catches, 43 yards (18 longest), 8.6 average; 3 kickoff returns, 82 yards (33 longest)
Up next — 8:30 Sunday at Denver, NBC
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
10–6 win vs. New England in Frankfurt, Germany — Didn’t start; 2 catches on 3 targets, 40 yards (28 longest); 14 offensive snaps (25%)
Season statistics — 10 games, 6 starts; 43 catches, 523 yards (59 longest), 2 TDs
Up next after Week 11 open date — 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. Tampa Bay, CBS
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.
41–38 win at Los Angeles Chargers — Played, but had no statistics; 7 offensive snaps (11%), 8 special-teams snaps (27%)
Season statistics — 8 games, 1 catch, 2 targets, 2 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, 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
25–23 loss at Arizona — Not active for the game (ankle injury)
Season statistics — 9 games, 3 starts; 17 catches, 29 targets, 247 yards (45 longest), 3 catches of at least 20 yards, 1 catch of at least 40 yards; 1 special-teams tackle
Up next after Week 11 open date — 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. New Orleans, Fox
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback
Age 23 | 6–1, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Starting QB ahead of Jacoby Brissett
29–26 loss at Seattle — Started; 29 of 44, 312 yards (51 longest), 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 3 sacks for 24 yards, 109.3 passer rating; 2 carries, 17 yards (15 longest), 24.8 fantasy points, 61 offensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 10 games, 10 starts; 264 of 397, 66.5%, 2,783 yards (51 longest), 17 touchdowns, 9 interceptions; 31 carries, 174 yards (24 longest), 1 touchdown
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 26 | 5–10, 191 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Second string cornerback behind A.J. Terrell
25–23 loss at Arizona — 1 assist; 18 defensive snaps (28%), 5 special-teams snaps
Season statistics — 9 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists, 11 punt returns, 67 yards (16 longest), 6 fair catches; 3 kickoff returns, 46 yards (19 longest), 15.3 average
Up next after Week 11 open date — 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. New Orleans, Fox
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
27–19 loss at Minnesota — Started at left guard; 67 offensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts; 497 offensive snaps, 9 special-teams snaps
Up next after Week 11 open date — 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at Atlanta, 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
49–17 loss at Dallas — Played off the bench; 11 offensive snaps(19%), 3 special-teams snaps (10%)
Season statistics — 8 games, 5 starts; 382 offensive snaps, 21 special-teams snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Washington, Fox
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
49–17 win vs. New York Giants — Not active for the game
Season statistics — 6 games; 32 offensive snaps, 24 special-teams snaps entering the weekend
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Carolina, 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
16–12 loss at Las Vegas — Not active for game
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Up next — 4:25 Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Age 29 | 6–2, 220 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Kenny Pickett
23–19 win vs. Green Bay — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 2 games, 18 of 32, 156 yards (22 longest), 1 TD, 2 INTs; 3 rushes, 18 yards (8 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
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
24–22 win at Buffalo — Started; 21 rushes, 79 yards (11 longest); 4 catches on 4 targets, 31 yards (18 longest), 1 touchdown; 39 offensive snaps (52%), 21.0 fantasy points
Season statistics — 8 games, 7 starts; 111 carries, 436 yards (21 longest), 3.9 average; 21 catches, 25 targets, 109 yards (18 longest), 2 TDs; 2-point conversion run
Up next — 8:20 Sunday vs. Minnesota, NBC
Released
Running back Michael Carter by Jets on Tuesday.
On PUP list
Houston left tackle Charlie Heck (undisclosed injury)
On injured reserve
New York Giants left tackle Joshua Ezeudu (toe injury)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb (left knee injury)
Houston safety M.J. Stewart Jr. (shoulder fracture)
On injured reserve
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith (has played 1 game and recorded 1 tackle)
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 @Commanders
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