By R.L. Bynum
After only playing in the season finale of his rookie season, the Washington Commanders are giving Sam Howell a chance to show his talent on the field this season. One of his former UNC targets, wide receiver Josh Downs, one of four rookie alums, has a shot at starting for the Indianapolis Colts.
Of the 22 Tar Heels in NFL training camps, Howell is one of four expected to start and would take control of the offense for a franchise in transition in many ways. The team has a new owner, as well as a new offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, who came over from Kansas City.
“I think, at this point, I have total command of the offense,” Howell, who broke multiple records at UNC, told commanders.com. “I studied a lot this summer and tried to get really comfortable with the system, obviously because it’s new, and just tying my feet into the concepts that we’re running.”
The 32 UNC alums in NFL camps are up from 28 at the start of camp last season.
Veteran running back Giovani Bernard retired after getting limited playing time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his 10th season. Veteran defensive tackle Robert Quinn is a free agent after Chicago traded him midseason, and he finished last season with the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Eight other Tar Heels who have at least gone to NFL camps previously are free agents (see list at the bottom).
Javonte Williams, who tore his right ACL and LCL four games into last season after running for 1,219 yards in his rookie NFL season, is expected to start for the Denver Broncos under new coach Sean Payton after a long recovery period.
“It was hard at first … but each week my confidence got bigger and bigger,’’ Williams, picked in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, told ESPN. “Now that I’m back on the field, I think this is the highest that [my confidence] has ever been.’’
Williams isn’t sure if he’ll play in any exhibition games.
Two Tar Heels who changed teams in the offseason are likely starters: linebacker Cole Holcomb, who moved from the Washington Commanders to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and wide receiver Mack Hollins, who went from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Atlanta Falcons.
Holcomb couldn’t participate in any offseason drills while recovering from December foot surgery but was ready to go at training camp after signing a three-year, $18-million deal in March.
“It felt good getting back in the swing of things,” he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It’s been a while. It felt awesome to be out there and playing ball again.”
While Downs isn’t penciled in as a starter, he has a chance to be in the lineup for the Colts’ season opener with impressive training camp and preseason performances.
Downs, Indianapolis’ third-round pick in the NFL Draft, was sidelined during OTAs with a knee injury but was 100% as camp began.
“As far as the transition from college to here, it’s not as bad,” Downs said. “It’s much faster, of course, so I’ve just got to play faster. I wouldn’t say it’s too overwhelming for me.
“The coverages are different, they disguise a lot more, they run a lot of different variations. So I got to really learn more of that. But otherwise, I’d say my dad, he’s prepared me a lot for this,” said Downs, whose father Gary Downs is the running backs coach at East Tennessee State. “I played football since I was six years old. So I have a pretty good feel for the game. So now I’m just adjusting to the new level.”
The other three rookie alums all have shots at playing time.
Asim Richards is listed as second-string left guard with the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green and Jacksonville Jaguars nose tackle Raymond Vohasek have a chance to be second string.
Veteran New Orleans offensive lineman James Hurst started all 14 Saints games last season but is listed on depth charts as second-string left tackle behind Taylor Penning at the start of camp. Penning missed most of his rookie year last season, tearing a ligament in a foot in September.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky started five games for the Pittsburgh Steelers but lost his job to Kenny Pickett and enters training camp as the backup to the former Pitt star.
“When things go how they go during the season last year and you’re pushed into a new role, you have some personal feelings you’ve got to set aside,” Trubisky said. “You just embrace the role to help the team for the common good. I want this team to win. I want to help all the guys be as successful as they can.”
Others listed on depth charts as second string are New Orleans Saints fullback Jake Bargas, Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, New York Jets running back Michael Carter, Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, New York Giants left guard Joshua Ezeudu, Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart Jr. and New York Jets middle linebacker Chazz Surratt.
Carter is confident after putting in the work in the offseason.
“It is always about trying to take it to the next level,” Carter told newyorkjets.com. “And I came in looking a little bit different this year. I actually came in a bit slimmer this year. … Everything is about endurance in the NFL. Who can run the longest and who can last the longest.”
There are reports, though, that the Jets may sign running back Dalvin Cook, which would reduce Carter’s role.
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox is listed as the third string weakside linebacker.
The Houston Texans placed right tackle Charlie Heck, who started three games last season, on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list with an undisclosed injury, and he’s listed as third string.
UNC alums who probably will have to battle to make rosters are Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kyler McMichael (listed as fifth string), San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dazz Newsome (fourth string), Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith (fourth string).
Former UNC guard Arthur Smith returns for his third season as the Atlanta Falcons coach.
Two other former Carolina players are assistant coaches, with Ronald Curry the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints and Dre Bly the Detroit Lions’ quarterbacks coach.
Clyde Christensen was an NFL assistant coach for 26 years, last season as the Tampa Bay Bucs’ quarterbacks coach, but joined the UNC staff in the offseason as an offensive analyst.
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Rundown of Tar Heels in NFL camps
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 — 8:30 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 — 1 game, 3 special-teams snaps
Week 6 — Titans 20, Colts 7 (road) | 3 special-teams snaps (11%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
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 — 6 games, 4 starts, 24 catches, 289 yards (42 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 72.0 offensive grade, 71.5 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 58.4 run-block grade
Week 6 — Titans 20, Colts 7 (home) | started: 4 catches on 8 targets, (23 longest), 40 yards; 1 rush, 7 yards; 71 offensive snaps (86%); 57.3 offense grade, 55.7 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 58.4 run-block grade; 8.7 fantasy points
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota, CBS
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 — 5 games, 34 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 66.2 offensive grade, 68.6 pass-blocking grade, 59.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 6 — Chiefs 22, Chargers 6 (home) | didn’t start; 30 offensive snaps (49%), 3 special-teams snaps (12%); 64.0 offensive grade, 68.6 pass-block grade, 59.4 run-block grade; 60.3 special-teams grade
Week 7 — 8:20 Sunday at Seattle, NBC
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 — 5 games, 2 starts, 15 tackles, 14 assists, ½ sack; 68.2 defensive grade, 71.6 run grade, 58.7 pass-rush grade, 65.3 pass coverage grade
Week 6 — Titans 20, Colts 7 (road) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 3 assists; 2 special-teams tackles; 38 defensive snaps (46%), 18 special-teams snaps (64%); season-high 71.6 defensive grade, 71.6 run defense grade, 79.2 tackle grade, season-high 58.7 pass-rush grade, 65.4 pass coverage grade; 5.5 fantasy points
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
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 — 6 games, 4 tackles (all solo), 3 assists; 55.1 special-teams grade
Week 6 — Steelers 26, Bucs 19 (road) | didn’t start: called for illegal blindside block on a kickoff; 23 special-teams snaps (64%); season-low 42.5 special-teams grade
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans in Saint-Denis, France, NFL Network
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 rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 6 — Packers 23, Cowboys 13 (road) | didn’t play
Week 7 — 8:15 Sunday 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 — 6 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 10 assists, 3 passes defended; 44.6 defensive grade, 89.7 run grade, 41.8 tackle grade, 41.5 coverage grade
Week 6 — Bears 31, Falcons 23 (home) | started: 5 tackles (1 for a loss), 2 assists; 77 defensive snaps (100%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); 49.1 defensive grade, 75.7 run grade, 41.8 tackle grade, 41.5 coverage grade; 6.0 fantasy points
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
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 Sunday 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, 78interceptions, 13 sacks (59 yards in losses), 96.4 passer rating; 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 rating
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 rating; 4 carries, team-high 26 yards (15 longest), 1 TD (7-yard run,11:33, second quarter); 54 offensive snaps (100%); 74.8 offensive rating, 73.5 passer rating, 63.4 run rating, 60.0 run-block rating; 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 — 6 games, 260 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 51.0 offensive grade, 47.2 pass-blocking grade, 59.2 run-blocking grade; 61.4 special-teams grade
Week 6 — Saints 34, Giants 17 (road) | started: called for holding twice; 70 offensive snaps (97%); season-low 47.4 offensive grade, 43.6 pass-blocking grade, 47.3 run-blocking grade; season-high 60.5 special-teams grade
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh in Saint-Denis, France, NFL Network
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 6 — Broncos 17, Seahawks 14 (road on Thursday) | not active for game (calf injury)
Week 7 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Kansas City, NBC
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 6 — Titans 20, Colts 7 (road) | didn’t play
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
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 — 5 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.3 offensive grade, 51.7 pass grade, 52.9 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 6 — Browns 13, Ravens 10 (road) | started: 0 catches on 2 targets; 37 offensive snaps (65%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); season-low 47.1 offensive grade, season-low 51.7 pass grade, 52.9 run-block grade, season-high 62.7 special-teams grade
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, CBS
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 rating, 58.4 pass-block rating, 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 Sunday 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 PUP list
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart (torn quad), who didn’t play during the preseason; estimated return Oct. 11
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
Photo via commanders.com
