By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell looked good in his first game as an NFL starter, playing a little more than a quarter.
Howell completed 9 of 12 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown for a 119.1 rating in 19 snaps over three drives as the Washington Commanders won their exhibition opener Friday at Cleveland 17–15.
“I thought it was solid,” said Howell, who was sacked on Washington’s first drive. “Obviously, got off to a slow start with the first two drives, but I thought the third drive was really good. I was proud of our guys with how we battled back after a rough two drives, and we gave up a safety. Think our ability to bounce back was definitely good, and we put some good things on film.”
Howell is learning a new system under first-year offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who coached Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City the past few seasons.
“You’ve got to change your mindset from a decision-making standpoint and to learn new concepts and learning how to tie your feet to those concepts and trying to make good decisions in practice and then turn it over into games,” Howell said. “I think I’ve come a long way just from my knowledge of football and understanding what we’re trying to do on offense and what the defense is doing trying to stop this.”
After only playing in the season finale of his rookie season, he showed poise in the pocket to avoid pressure while still looking for open receivers. When there was nothing there, he threw the ball away, as he did on a first-down play at the Washington 5.
When the pocket collapsed on a third-and-six in the first quarter, he ran eight yards for a first down.
“Very encouraged. A lot of good things,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “I thought, again, he threw some really good balls. I thought the decision-making was what you want. He looked to have command of things, and it was good to see him get into a rhythm.”
In leading a 10-play, 80-yard second-quarter scoring drive, Howell scrambled before connecting with tight end Cole Turner for 13 yards down the right side on a fourth-and-three at the Browns 39.
“The defense did a good job of covering the concept we had, so I tried to get out of the pocket and make something happen, and Cole did a really good job just getting open,” Howell said. “We practice the scramble drill a lot.”
On the next play, he hit Jahan Dotson on a 26-yard touchdown pass.
“Cole did a good job on the touchdown,” Howell said. “We knew we were going to get man coverage, and we knew that’s a route that Jahan is really good at, and he could have made my job easy.”
Third-year Washington wide receiver Dyami Brown caught one of two passes targeted to him for 14 yards in his 19 snaps. All of his targets came from former N.C. State quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Also starting in exhibitions so far this weekend were second-year Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, rookie Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green, second-year New York Giants offensive guard Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb and sixth-year Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart Jr.
In the Vikings’ 24–13 loss Thursday to the Seattle Seahawks, Chandler, still listed as third string, rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries, including a nine-yard run, and caught all four passes thrown to him for 29 yards, including a 13-yard reception.
Green caught all three passes that came his way for 36 yards in the Lions’ 21–16 home victory Friday over the New York Giants. In that game, Fox had one tackle.
Holcomb, in his fifth NFL season but first with the Steelers, had one tackle and one assist in Pittsburgh’s 27–17 road victory over Tampa Bay. It didn’t go well for quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who came off the bench and completed only 1 of 4 passes for 10 yards and was intercepted for a 0.0 rating.
Stewart had one tackle and one special-teams tackle in Houston’s 20–9 road victory Thursday over New England.
Tar Heels who sat out games so far this weekend were Houston offensive tackle Charlie Heck (on the PUP list), Atlanta wide receiver Mack Hollins and Denver running back Javonte Williams.
The Miami Dolphins have signed fourth-year safety Myles Dorn, who played five games last season for the Minnesota Vikings and participated in offseason workouts with the Carolina Panthers. Making the team may be challenging; he’s listed on the depth chart as fifth string.
In Miami’s 19–3 home loss to Atlanta on Friday, Dorn had one tackle and one special-teams assist. For the Falcons, linebacker Andre Smith had two tackles.
James Hurst, who played tackle last season, has shifted to left guard for the New Orleans Saints and is battling Andrus Peat for the starting job. The Saints face Tennessee at 1 p.m. Sunday (CBS).
Entering his 10th NFL season, Hurst could become one of 200 position players in NFL history to play in 150 games after being undrafted.
“It’s a huge blessing,” Hurst told nola.com. “Honestly, it’s hard to believe at times. My first four seasons were scratching and clawing and hoping I make the team.”
Before the official team depth chart was released, Dallas Cowboys rookie offensive lineman Asim Richards was listed as second string on most websites. The official depth chart, though, has him as the third-string left guard behind Tyler Smith and Mann Farniok. Dallas faces Jacksonville at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Cornerback Kyler McMichael is fighting for a roster spot with the Arizona Cardinals, listed as sixth string. In Arizona’s 18–17 home win over Denver on Friday, he had two tackles and forced a fumble.
Several Tar Heels have games the next two days, highlighted by Josh Downs’ first time in an NFL uniform as the Indianapolis Colts visit the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. Saturday.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —10 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 4 special-teams assists
Week 16: Texans 23, Raiders 21 — 2 tackles on kickoff coverage; 2 offensive snaps (3%), 20 special-teams snaps (67%)
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 15 games, 7 starts, 22 catches, 212 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 16: Jaguars 34, Broncos 20 — Played 6 offensive snaps (9%) and 1 special-teams snap (3%(
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 11 games, 3 starts, 78 carries, 286 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 28 catches on 32 targets, 232 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16: Falcons 26, Cardinals 19 — Started; 11 carries, 65 yards (5.9 average; 22 longest); 0 catches on 2 targets; 30 offensive snaps (53%)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 14 games, 9 starts, 52 catches, 471 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 rush, 3 yards,;5 punt returns, 55 yards; 1 tackle; 47 offensive snaps (78%)
Week 16: 49ers 48, Colts 27 — Started; 5 catches on 9 targets, 65 yards (18 longest), 1 rush, 3 yards
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 82 tackles, 57 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 16: Titans 26, Chiefs 9 — Not active after suffering a concussion
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — No. 2 running back
Season statistics — 8 games, 5 starts, 110 carries, 516 yards (54 longest), 4.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 24 catches, 161 yards (22 longest), 6.7 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 16: Chargers 34, Cowboys 17 — Didn’t start; 16 carries, 85 yards (18 longest), 1 touchdown (5-yard run, 4:48 left, fourth quarter); 1 catch on 2 targets, 10 yards; 35 offensive snaps (55%)
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday vs. Houston Texans, NFL Network
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 16 games, 1 tackle; 698 offensive snaps, 63 special-teams snaps
Week 16: Panthers 23, Bucs 20 — Reported as tackle-eligible four times; 4 offensive snaps (6%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 16: Steelers 29, Lions 24 — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 15 special-teams snaps (54%)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 15 games, 11 starts, 43 catches, 519 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 4 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16: Patriots 28, Ravens 24 — Started; 4 catches on 5 targets, 38 yards (9.5 average, 20 longest); 49 offensive snaps (66%), 5 special-teams snaps (21%)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 16: Eagles 29, Commanders 18 — Not active for the game
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 16: Falcons 26, Cardinals 19 — Not active for the game (ankle sprain)
Week 17 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Reams, ESPN
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 2 games, no statistics
Week 16: Texans 23, Raiders 21 — Played 1 special teams snap
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season statistics — 15 games, 15 starts, 321 of 453, 3,947 (72 longest, 8.7 average), 70.9%, 25 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 46 sacks (200 yards in losses, 108.5 passer rating; 95 carries, 387 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 16: Patriots 28, Ravens 24 — Started; 31 of 44 for 380 yards (37 longest), 2 touchdowns (1-yard pass to Hunter Henry with 11:17 left in the second quarter; 37-yard pass to Kyle Williams with 9:01 left in fourth quarter), 1 interception, 3 sacks for 6 yards in losses, 2-point conversion completion, 102.5 passer rating; 10 carries, 25 yards (16 longest); 74 offensive snaps (100%); 24.7 fantasy points
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 13 games, 4 starts, 295 offensive snaps, 42 special-teams snaps
Week 16: Saints 29, Jets 6 — Not active for the game (ankle injury)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 16: Bills 23, Browns 20 — Didn’t play
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 9 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 16: Patriots 28, Ravens 24 — 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble , 1 QB hit, all on a Patriots fake punt; 6 offensive snaps (11%), 9 special-teams snaps (17%)
Week 17 — 8 p.m. Saturday at Green Bay, Peacock
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season statistics — 15 games, 15 starts, 239 carries, 1,147 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 10 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 16: Chargers 34, Cowboys 17 — Started; 9 carries, 34 yards (8 longest); 2 catches on 3 targets, 9 yards (5 longest); 33 offensive snaps (57%)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Thursday at Washington, Netflix
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via @Commanders
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