By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell turned in another efficient performance Monday in his first exhibition game appearance since Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera officially named the second-year quarterback his starter.
His big night was topped when he connected with former UNC teammate Dyami Brown for one of two touchdown passes he threw in the final 1:49 of the first half of Washington’s 29–28 home victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
“I’m so excited,” Howell said in a sideline interview with ESPN during the second half about the opportunity to be an NFL starter as the Commanders went to 2–0 in the preseason. “I’m just so blessed by God to be given this opportunity. So, I’m going to do everything I can to make the most of it.”
Playing the entire first half and four drives, Howell took sacks in the first and second quarters but smoothly went through his progressions and looked to be in full command. He made some solid throws under pressure.
“I thought it was all right,” Howell said of his performance. “I thought we did some good things. I thought there were a lot of things that we could have done a better job of, things I could have done a better job of. I took up two bad sacks that were my fault. So, we would like not to have those plays. But I’m proud of my guys; they kept fighting. We’re able to put some good drives together.”
Late in the first half, when it appeared he was about to get sacked, he eluded defenders and connected for 17 yards to Jahan Dotson on a third-and-10. Two plays later, Howell hit Brown for an 11-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left to give Washington a 17–14 halftime lead.
He was 19 of 25 for 188 yards, connecting with Antonio Gibson with 1:49 in the first half on a nine-yard touchdown pass, and had a 123.4 passer rating.
“Just coming out every day, I just wanted everybody to trust me. I wanted this organization to trust me. I want my teammates to trust me. So just trying to come in every day and work as hard as I can,” Howell said of what he’s wanted to accomplish in preseason camp.
Howell didn’t play in the second half.
Brown finished with two catches for 27 yards on six targets.
Howell completed 5 of 6 passes for 56 yards on Washington’s first drive, which led to a 21-yard Joey Slye field goal.
Howell attempted two deep third-down passes to Brown down the right side in the second quarter. Both times, against tight coverage from Ravens cornerback Kevon Seymour, Brown couldn’t make the catch.
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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 — 5 games, 2 starts, 8 catches, 88 yards (48 longest); 47.5 offensive rating, 50.3 pass game rating, 37.1 run-blocking rating
Week 5 — Commanders 27, Giants 27, OT (home) | didn’t start: 1 catch on 2 targets, 2 yards, 1 fumble (recovered); 1.2 fantasy points; 23 offensive snaps (37%), 37.2 offensive grade, 37.5 pass-game grade, 62.8 run-block grade
Week 6 — 8:15 Monday at San Francisco, ESPN
Week 7 — Open date
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 — Elevated from practice squad for Week 4, but didn’t didn’t play
Week 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | inactive for the game
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, 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 — 5 games, 3 starts, 20 catches, 249 yards (42 longest); 75.4 offensive grade, 75.3 pass-game grade, 65.9 run-block grade
Week 5 — Steelers 34, Colts 22 (road) | started: 3 catches on 6 targets, 47 yards (42 longest); 1.2 fantasy points; 60 offensive snaps (100%); 63.9 offensive grade, 61.8 pass game grade; season-high 79.4 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota, 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 — 4 offensive snaps and 6 special-teams snaps
Week 5 — Open date
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Week 7 — 8:30 Sunday at Seattle, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 starts, 11 tackles, 11 assists, ½ sack; 71.1 defensive grade, 78.0 run grade, 57.9 pass-rush grade, 61.3 pass coverage grade
Week 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 4 assists, ½ sack; 5.0 fantasy points; 28 defensive snaps (42%), 12 special-teams saps (55%); season-high 75.6 defensive grade, 73.9 run grade, 79.0 tackle grade, season-high 63.4 pass-rush grade, season-high 65.7 pass coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, 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 — 5 games, 4 starts, 73 carries, 271 yards, 3.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 5 catches, 35 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 63.9 offensive grade, 66.1 pass game grade, 76.7 pass-block grade, 61.6 run grade
Week 5 — Broncos 23, Chargers 17 (home) | started: 14 carries, 33 yards (11 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 4.9 fantasy points; 20 offensive snaps (30%); season-high 68.0 offensive grade, season-high 88.9 pass grade, 74.4 pass-block grade, 62.9 run grade
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday at Kansas City, CBS
Week 7 — Open date
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 — 5 games, 4 tackles (all solo), 3 assists; 58.5 defensive grade, 54.9 run grade, 30.9 tackle grade, 56.0 pass-rush grade, 66.0 coverage grade
Week 5 — Steelers 34, Colts 22 (home) | 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 8 defensive snaps (11%), 18 special-teams snaps (60%); 64.0 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, 69.0 pass-rush grade, 61.7 pass coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, CBS
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans in Saint-Denis, France, NFL Network
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 5 — Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16 (Thursday at home) | didn’t play
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, NBC
Week 7 — 8:15 Sunday at Philadelphia, ESPN
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 3 games, 11 tackles, 4 assists, 2 passes defended; 45.7 defensive grade, 87.4 run grade, 67.5 tackle grade, 39.3 coverage grade
Week 5 — Ravens 30, Falcons 23 (home) | started: 3 tackles, 3 assists; 69 defensive snaps (91%), 2 special-teams snaps (7%); 45.7 defensive grade, season-high 83.9 run grade, 56.7 tackle grade, season-low 33.0 coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Season statistics — Was on Houston Texans’ practice squad before Jags signed him Monday
Week 5 — Jaguars 19, Eagles 17 (in London) | Inactive for game
Week 6 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Houston in London, NFL Network
Week 7 — Open date
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 — 5 games, 1 start; 64 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps; 44.6 offensive grade, 33.3 pass-blocking grade, 49.1 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — Jaguars 19, Eagles 17 (in London) | started at left guard: key block on Will Shipley touchdown run; 62 offensive snaps (100%); 44.6 offensive grade, 33.3 pass-blocking grade, 49.4 run-blocking grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, CBS
Week 7 — 8:15 Sunday vs. Dallas, ESPN
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 99 of 151, 1,228 yards, 8 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 11 sacks (48 yards in losses), 89.0 passer rating; 30 carries, 161 yards, 5.4 average; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 70.0 offensive grade, 66.2 pass grade, 65.4 run grade
Week 5 — Patriots 45, Raiders 17 (home) | started: 26 of 34, 374 yards (49 longest), 4 touchdowns (35-yard TD pass to DeMario Douglas, 11:23 left in first quarter; 11-yard pass to Hunter Henry, 24 seconds left in first half; 34-yard TD pass to Kyle Williams, 12:58 left in third quarter; 8-yard pass to Douglas, 6:06 left in fourth quarter), 1 sack (3-yard loss), 150.9 passer rating; 7 rushes, 25 yards (10 longest), 1 touchdown (3-yard run, 3:10 left, third quarter); 75 offensive snaps (100%); season-high 92.7 offensive grade, season-high 92.2 pass-game grade, 65.4 run grade; 39.46 fantasy points
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Week 7 — 8:15 Thursday at Chicago, Prime Video
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 — 5 games, 190 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 47.8 offensive grade, 46.0 pass-blocking grade, 49.4 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — Vikings 23, Saints 13 | started; 42 offensive snaps (93%), 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 58.8 offensive grade, season-high 57.3 pass-block grade, 57.2 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, Fox
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh in Saint-Denis, France, NFL Network
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) | not active for game (calf injury)
Week 7 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Kansas City, NBC
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 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | didn’t play
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, 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 — 4 games, 1 start, 24 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 58.0 offensive grade, 60.6 pass game grade, 57.6 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — Ravens 30, Falcons 23 (road) | started: 2 catches on 2 targets, 9 yards 7 longest), 1 touchdown (7-yard reception, 40 seconds left in regulation); 45 offensive snaps (59%); 60.7 offensive grade, 60.6 pass-game grade, 57.6 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, 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 — 5 games, 5 starts, 74 carries, 276 yards (3.7 average), 6 touchdowns; 17 catches, 94 yards (17 longest), 5.5 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 69.5 offensive rating, 84.0 pass game rating, 60.1 pass-block rating, 63.2 run rating
Week 5 — Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16 (Thursday at home) | started: 12 carries, 45 yards (21 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard run, 10:51 left in the first quarter); 2 catches on 3 targets, 17 yards (9 longest); 51 offensive snaps (85%); 14.2 fantasy points; 63.8 offensive grade, 67.8 pass-game grade, 52.8 pass-block grade, 63.2 run-game grade
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, NBC
Week 7 — 8:15 Sunday at Philadelphia, ESPN
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
— 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 @NFL
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