By R.L. Bynum
On a national stage Sunday night, Drake Maye showed he has the talent to be a star in the NFL when he engineered a scoring drive on his first possession.
Toward the end of that drive, NBC color analyst Cris Collinsworth suggested there might be a quarterback controversy. During a sideline interview on the broadcast, first-year New England coach Jerod Mayo wouldn’t commit to a starter.
The Patriots lost 20–10 at Washington, but led 7–0 when Maye came out. Maye didn’t play in the second half, giving way to Joe Milton III, after producing a preseason-high 99.2 passer rating.
In four drives, Maye was 13 of 20 for 126 yards and a touchdown. He ran three times for 17 yards.
Maye overcame a couple of bad snaps to drive the Patriots 83 yards on 13 plays, culminating with an 18-yard touchdown pass to running back Kevin Harris. Early in the drive, Maye dashed out of the pocket for a 17-yard gain to convert on a third-and-14 play.
Maye came in for the second Patriots possession after first-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett exited the game with a right shoulder injury suffered when he was sacked.
An illegal-procedure penalty nullified a 48-yard Maye touchdown pass. On one play an offensive lineman stepped on Maye’s foot, which led to a shoe coming off. He kicked away the shoe and completed a pass.
Maye had issues taking snaps from backup Patriots center Nick Leverett, a former N.C. Central player. This led to a couple of fumbled snaps, both of which were recovered.
With NFL rosters cut to 53 players on Tuesday, it’s time for players to prove they deserve a spot, and no player did this better than Las Vegas rookie linebacker Amari Gainer.
Gainer, who went undrafted, moved from fourth-string weakside linebacker to third-string after collecting 10 tackles (two for losses), two assists and a special-teams assist in the Raiders’ 24–24 Friday home tie with San Francisco. Gainer played all 75 defensive snaps and 14 special-teams snaps.
“Every moment is important,” Gainer said. “Every time I step in the building, it’s just about being my best self and being great whether that’s for a game or practice or a meeting. I just have to be my best self and be the best I can be.”
Gainer, who played one season at UNC after four years at Florida State, drew praise from Coach Antonio Pierce.
“He stuck in there to the very end and called the defense [Saturday],” Pierce said. “First time he’s done that as well. Just some bright spots and things he can learn from as well.”
Marcus McKethan wasn’t as fortunate. The New York Giants on Sunday waived the third-year offensive lineman, who played at UNC from 2018 to 2021 and was listed as the fourth-string right guard. He didn’t play in their exhibition finale Saturday against the New York Jets after playing 26 offensive snaps in the exhibition opener and nine offensive snaps in the second exhibition.
McKethan played 16 games for the Giants last season, starting five and playing 387 offensive snaps before ending the season on injured reserve with a toe injury.
Players still on rosters who didn’t play on the final weekend of exhibitions were:
— Tennessee rookie Cedric Gray (second-string right inside linebacker who is recovering from a shoulder injury);
— Arizona’s Michael Carter (fourth-string running back)
— Minnesota’s Ty Chandler (second-string running back and second-string kick returner);
— Indianapolis’ Josh Downs (first-string slot wide receiver; could return from high left ankle sprain for opener);
— Houston’s Charlie Heck (second-string right tackle recovering from plantar fasciitis) and M.J. Stewart (third-string free safety);
— Buffalo’s Mack Hollins (second-string left wide receiver) and Mitch Trubisky (second-string quarterback);
— Atlanta’s Mike Hughes (first-string left cornerback); and
— Denver running back Javonte Williams (first-string running back).
After starting the first two Seattle exhibitions, Sam Howell came off the bench in the Seahawks’ 37–33 Saturday home win over Cleveland, and his numbers weren’t as good. Howell was 6 of 9 for 45 yards with a 78.5 passer rating after producing a 136 passer rating the week before.
In the New York Jets’ 10–6 Saturday win over the New York Giants, Chazz Surratt had five assists in 21 defensive snaps. The Jets’ third-string middle linebacker made a big tackle on a fourth-down play.
Joshua Ezeudu started at left tackle for the Giants, playing 29 offensive snaps and one special-teams snap. He’s listed as the second-string left tackle. Tomon Fox, the Giants’ third-string outside linebacker, had two tackles (both for losses), two assists, a sack and three quarterback hits in 48 defensive snaps.
Houston running back British Brooks, who ran for two touchdowns the weekend before, had five carries for 25 yards, including a 15-yard play, getting 33 snaps (17 offensive), more than twice the snaps of the week before.
Rookie Storm Duck, who played at Louisville last season after four years at UNC, had three tackles and an assist in three Miami exhibition games. He’s listed as the Dolphins’ third-string right cornerback. He had no tackles in Friday’s 24–14 Dolphins loss at Tampa Bay.
Tez Walker, Baltimore’s second-string right wide receiver, had another quiet exhibition with one catch for four yards on two targets, and made a tackle after an interception. That was his only catch on three targets during preseason.
Kyler McMichael, Pittsburgh’s third-string left cornerback, had one assist in 27 snaps (22 defensive) in the Steelers’ 24–17 Saturday loss at Detroit.
Asim Richards, Dallas’ third-string left tackle, started and played all 97 offensive snaps and three special-teams snaps in the Cowboys 26–19 Saturday home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Spencer Rolland, who has moved from Minnesota’s third-string right guard to third-string left guard, played 30 offensive snaps and six special-teams snaps in the Vikings’ 26–3 Saturday win at Philadelphia.
In Arizona’s 38–12 Sunday loss at Denver, Myles Murphy — the Cardinals’ fourth-string left defensive end, had one tackle, one assist and defended two passes. Andre Smith, Denver’s third-string left inside linebacker, played but had no statistics.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 24 | 5–11, 225 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
2023 statistics (UNC) — 12 games, 75 carries, 387 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 14 yards
Exhibition opener — 21–17 loss Aug. 3 to Chicago in Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio; 1 carry, -2 yards; 1 target, no catches; 1 special-teams tackle
Week 1 exhibition — 20–12 win at Pittsburgh; 2 carries, 3 yards (3 longest); 4 offensive snaps (6%); 10 special-teams snaps (42%)
Week 2 exhibition — 28–10 home win over New York Giants; 5 carries, 23 yards (15 longest), 4.6 average, 2 touchdowns; 8 offensive snaps (11%), 9 special-teams snaps (39%)
Week 3 exhibition — 17–15 home win over Los Angeles Rams; 5 carries, 25 yards (15 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 17 offensive snaps (24%), 16 special-teams snaps (64%)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2023 statistics — 17 games, 1 start; 12 catches, 164 yards (35 longest), 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards; 1 assist; 2 special-teams tackles; 1 special-teams assist; 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards, 83.3 passer rating
Week 1 exhibition — 20–17 loss at New York Jets; started; 2 catches on 3 targets, 55 yards (42 longest), 19 offensive snaps (27%), 3 special-teams snaps (11%)
Week 2 exhibition — 13–6 loss at Miami; started; 3 catches on 3 targets, 18 yards (8 longest); 9 offensive snaps (12%); 3 special-teams snaps (11%)
Week 3 exhibition — 20–10 win vs. New England; didn’t play
Season opener — 4:25 Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 204 | third NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — First-string kick returner behind Kene Nwangwu; second-string running back behind Aaron Jones
2023 statistics — 17 games, 102 carries, 461 yards (31 longest), 3 TDs; 21 catches, 159 yards (19 longest); 4 kick returns, 97 yards (33 longest), 24.2 average; 1 tackle
Week 1 exhibition — 24–23 win vs. Las Vegas: started; 7 carries, 33 yards (16 longest); 0 catches on 2 targets; 15 offensive snaps (23%)
Week 2 exhibition — 27–12 win at Cleveland; didn’t play
Week 3 exhibition — 26–3 win at Philadelphia; didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver ahead of Anthony Gould
2023 statistics — 17 games, 7 starts; 68 catches, 771 yards (59 longest), 2 TDs; 2 tackles; 6 punt returns, 63 yards, 10.5 average (14 longest), 6 fair catches; 2 kickoff returns, 24 yards, 12.0 average, 1 fair catch
Week 1 exhibition — 34–30 loss vs. Denver: didn’t play
Week 2 exhibition — 21–13 home win over Arizona; didn’t play
Week 3 exhibition — 27–14 win at Cincinnati; ; didn’t play (high left ankle sprain; could return for opener)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Storm Duck, Miami Dolphins cornerback
Age 23 | 6–0, 195 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Third-string right cornerback
2023 statistics — 17 games, 1 start; 12 catches, 164 yards (35 longest), 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards; 1 assist; 2 special-teams tackles; 1 special-teams assist; 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards, 83.3 passer rating
Week 1 exhibition — 20–13 win vs. Atlanta; 1 tackle, 1 pass defended
Week 2 exhibition — 13–6 win vs Washington; 2 tackles 1 assist, 1 pass defended
Week 3 exhibition — 24–14 loss at Tampa Bay; 22 defensive snaps (42%); 9 special-teams snaps (39%)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Turns 25 Sept. 19 | 6–4, 310 | third NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle behind Thomas Andrew
2023 statistics — 6 games, 5 starts
Week 1 exhibition — 14–3 win vs. Detroit: Started at left tackle, played 32 offensive snaps (55%), 2 special-teams snaps (9%)
Week 2 exhibition — 28–10 loss at Houston; played off the bench; 25 offensive snaps (40%), 2 special-teams snaps (9%)
Week 3 exhibition — 10–6 loss at New York Jets; started at left tackle; 29 offensive snaps (43%); 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Minnesota, Fox
Amari Gainer, Las Vegas Raiders linebacker
Age 24 | 6–3, 235 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string weakside linebacker
2023 statistics (UNC) — 13 games, 27 tackles (17 solo), 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
Week 1 exhibition — 24–23 loss at Minnesota: 2 tackles, 1 special-team tackle; 19 defensive snaps (30%); 16 special-teams snaps (52%)
Week 2 exhibition — 27–12 home loss to Dallas; 1 tackle, 2 assists, 1 pass defended; 25 defensive snaps (42%); 15 special-teams snaps (60%)
Week 3 exhibition — 24–24 tie vs. San Francisco; started; 10 tackles (2 for loss), 2 assists, 1 special-teams assist; 75 defensive snaps (100%), 14 special-teams snaps (50%)
Season opener — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Mack Hollins, Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Turns 31 Sept. 16 | 6–4, 221 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting left wide receiver ahead of Keon Coleman
2023 statistics (Atlanta) — 14 games, 3 starts; 18 catches, 30 targets, 251 yards (45 longest), 3 catches of at least 20 yards, 1 catch of at least 40 yards; 3 special-teams tackles; 1 assist
Week 1 exhibition — 33–6 loss vs. Chicago: didn’t play
Week 2 exhibition — 9–3 win at Pittsburgh; started; 2 catches on 2 targets, 7 yards (4 longest); 1 tackle after Mitch Trubisky interception; 15 offensive snaps (27%)
Week 3 exhibition — 31–26 home loss to Carolina; didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, CBS
Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Turns 24 Sept. 16 | 6–1, 225 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Geno Smith
2023 statistics (Washington) — 17 games, 17 starts; 388 of 612, 63.4%, 3,946 yards (51 longest), 21 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 78.9 passer rating; 1 two-point conversion completion; 48 carries, 263 yards (24 longest), 5.5 average, 5 TDs
Week 1 exhibition — 16–3 win at Los Angeles Chargers: started; 16 of 26, 130 yards (26 longest), 1 TD, 2 sacks for 13 yards, 89.9 passer rating; 4 carries, 17 yards (14 longest); 57 offensive snaps (70%)
Week 2 exhibition — 16–15 loss at Tennessee; started; 11 of 14, 153 yards (33 longest), 1 TD, 0 interceptions, 136 passer rating, 2 sacks for 12 yards; 2 carries, 11 yards (6 longest); 1 fumble (not lost); 28 offensive snaps (64%)
Week 3 exhibition — 37–33 home win over Cleveland; 6 of 9, 45 yards (12 longest) , 2 sacks for 5 yards, 78.5 passer rating; 3 carries, 19 yards (8 longest); 24 offensive snaps (47%)
Season opener — 4:05 Sunday vs. Denver, CBS
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 27 | 5–10, 191 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting left cornerback ahead of Clark Phillips III
2023 statistics — 15 games, 3 starts, 20 tackles, 13 solo, 7 assists, 2 tackles for losses; 11 punt returns, 67 yards (16 longest), 6 fair catches; 3 kickoff returns, 46 yards (19 longest), 15.3 average
Week 1 exhibition — 20–13 loss at Miami; didn’t play
Week 2 exhibition — 13–12 loss at Baltimore; didn’t play
Week 3 exhibition — 31–0 home Friday loss to Jacksonville; didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Turns 22 Aug. 30 | 6–4, 225 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Jacoby Brissett
2023 statistics (UNC) — 12 games, 269 of 425, 3,608 yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs; 12 carries, 112 yards, 9 TDs; 2 punts, 40.5 average
Week 1 exhibition — 17–3 win vs. Carolina: Played second series; 2 of 3 for 19 yards (13 longest), 84.0 passer rating; 6 offensive snaps (9%)
Week 2 exhibition — 14–13 loss vs. Philadelphia; played two quarters; 6 of 11 for 47 yards (23 longest), 0 TDs, 0 INTs; 4 carries, 15 yards (6 longest), 1 TD, 65.3 passer rating; 1 sack, 8-yard loss; 24 offensive snaps (43%)
Week 3 exhibition — 20–10 loss at Washington; 13 of 20, 126 yards (29 longest), 1 TD, 0 INTs, 99.2 passer rating; 3 carries, 17 yards (17 longest); 32 offensive snaps (43%)
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, Fox
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
Turns 24 Oct. 2 | 6–4, 307 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2023 statistics — 7 games; 39 offensive snaps, 32 special-teams snaps
Week 1 exhibition — 13–12 loss at Los Angeles Rams; started at left guard; 50 offensive snaps (70%), 5 special-teams snaps (25%)
Week 2 exhibition — 27–12 win at Las Vegas; started at left guard; 35 offensive snaps (58%); 5 special-teams snaps (20%)
Week 3 exhibition — 26–19 home loss to Los Angeles Chargers; started at left guard; 97 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (11%)
Season opener — 4:25 Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 28 | 5–11, 205 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string strong safety
2023 statistics — 8 games, 1 start, 22 tackles (13 solo), 1 forced fumble; finished season on injured reserve with a shoulder fracture
Exhibition opener — 21–17 loss to Chicago in Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio; started; 1 tackle, 2 assists; 19 defensive snaps (54%), 5 special-teams snaps (24%)
Week 1 exhibition — 20–12 win at Pittsburgh; 2 assists; 22 defensive snaps (37%), 6 special-teams snaps (25%)
Week 2 exhibition — 28–10 home win over New York Giants; didn’t play
Week 3 exhibition — 17–15 home win over Los Angeles Rams; didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, CBS
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 27 | 6–2, 233 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string middle linebacker
2023 statistics — 11 games, 1 assist, 6 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 1 exhibition — 20–17 win vs. Washington: started; 2 tackles, five assists; 32 defensive snaps (45%); 10 special-teams snaps (37%)
Week 2 exhibition — 15–12 win at Carolina; started; 6 assists; 34 defensive snaps (64%); 9 special-teams snaps (38%)
Week 3 exhibition — 10–6 win vs. New York Giants; started; 5 assists; 21 defensive snaps (31%), 7 special-teams shaps (29%)
Season opener — 8:20 Monday at San Francisco, ESPN, ABC
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–2, 220 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
2023 statistics (Pittsburgh) — 5 games, 67 of 107 (62.6%), 632 yards, 5.9 average; (26 longest), 4 TDs, 5 INTs, 1 two-point conversion completion, 71.9 passer rating; 16 rushes, 54 yards (15 longest), 3.4 average
Week 1 exhibition — 33–6 loss vs. Chicago: 10 of 18, 82 yards (19 longest), 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 67.4 passer rating; 3 carries, 12 yards (7 longest); 30 offensive snaps (44%)
Week 2 exhibition — 9–3 win at Pittsburgh; started; 9 of 13, 86 yards (27 longest), 0 TDs, 1 interception, 2 sacks, 21 yards, 55.3 passer rating; 1 carry, 1 yard; 26 offensive snaps (46%)
Week 3 exhibition — 31–26 home loss to Carolina; didn’t play
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–1, 198 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver behind Rashod Bateman
2023 statistics (UNC) — 8 games, 41 catches, 699 yards, 7 TDs; 3 carries, 23 yards
Week 1 exhibition — 16–13 loss vs. Philadelphia: 0 catches on 1 target; 19 offensive snaps (39%), 4 special-teams snaps (16%)
Week 2 exhibition — 13–12 win vs. Atlanta; played, not targeted for a pass; 6 offensive snaps (10%), 2 special-teams snaps (9%)
Week 3 exhibition — 30–7 loss at Green Bay: 1 catch on 2 targets, 4 yards; 1 tackle after an interception; 24 offensive snaps (46%), 5 special-teams snaps (21%)
Season opener — 8:20 Thursday at Kansas City, NBC, Peacock
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
Age 24 | 5–10, 220 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Samaje Perine
2023 statistics — 16 games, 14 starts; 217 carries, 774 yards (21 longest), 3.6 average, 3 TDs; 47 catches, 50 targets, 228 yards (18 longest), 2 TDs; 2-point conversion run; 2-point conversion reception
Week 1 exhibition — 34–30 win at Indianapolis: started; 4 carries, 15 yards (7 longest); 1 catch on 3 targets, 5 yards; 9 offensive snaps (11%)
Week 2 exhibition — 27–2 home win vs. Green Bay: Started; 3 carries, 17 yards (8 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 15 yards; had a 14-yard touchdown reception and a 13-yard touchdown reception called back because of penalties; 9 offensive snaps (15%)
Week 3 exhibition — 38–12 home win vs. Arizona; didn’t play
Season opener — 4:05 Sunday at New York Giants, CBS
On PUP list
Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb (recovering from left knee injury)
On injured reserve
Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder)
Detroit wide receiver Antoine Green (concussion)
Las Vegas defensive tackle Tomari Fox
On practice squad
Arizona running back Michael Carter
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox
Waived during training camp
Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Houston Texans
Offensive lineman Marcus McKethan by the New York Giants
Cornerback Kyler McMichael by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Defensive end Myles Murphy by the Arizona Cardinals
Offensive lineman Spencer Rolland by the Minnesota Vikings
Linebacker Andre Smith by the Denver Broncos
Photo via @Patriots
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