By R.L. Bynum
NFL cut day brought joy and heartbreak for former Carolina players.
Running back Michael Carter was among eight players waived Tuesday as NFL rosters were cut to 53 players, but rookies British Brooks, Storm Duck, Amari Gainer and Cedric Gray were among the 21 UNC alums to earn roster spots.
Tar Heels on rosters include linebacker Cole Holcomb (who is on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ PUP list recovering from a left knee injury) and two players on injured reserve: Las Vegas defensive tackle Tomari Fox and Detroit wide receiver Antoine Green.
Brooks, a former walk-on at UNC, had been listed as a sixth-string running back, but is one of only five running backs on the Texans roster and is listed as first string fullback by Ourlads after the Texans released three fullbacks. Brooks ran for two touchdowns in the second exhibition and got coaches’ attention last weekend by pancaking a Rams defensive lineman and knocking him over.
Brooks is one of three undrafted rookie running backs to make 53-man rosters, along with Kansas City’s Carson Steele and Denver’s Blake Watson.
Gainer probably won a roster spot in Las Vegas with his 10 tackles and two assists in the Raiders’ final exhibition game against San Francisco, listed as the fourth-string weakside linebacker.
Gray, who didn’t play in the preseason while recovering from a shoulder injury, is listed as the Tennessee Titans’ second-string right inside linebacker.
Duck, who played his final college season last year at Louisville, is the third-string right cornerback in Miami.
The New York Jets drafted Carter in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft but traded him on Nov. 14 to the Arizona Cardinals. After combining for 187 yards on 30 carries last season, he only got nine carries during the preseason. He didn’t play in Arizona’s last exhibition and had been listed as the fourth-string quarterback.
Also waived were:
— Third-year linebacker Tomon Fox and fourth-year offensive lineman Marcus McKethan by the New York Giants;
— Fifth-year offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Houston Texans;
— Third-year cornerback Kyler McMichael by the Pittsburgh Steelers;
— Rookie defensive end Myles Murphy by the Arizona Cardinals;
— Rookie offensive lineman Spencer Rolland by the Minnesota Vikings; and
— Seventh-year linebacker Andre Smith by the Denver Broncos.
All of those players could be either added to the practice squads for those teams or picked up by another team.
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 @UNCFootball
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