By R.L. Bynum
Dyami Brown and Josh Downs looked like the big-play wide receivers on Sunday they were during their Carolina careers, and they, along with Javonte Williams, had their best games of the season.
The third-longest reception of Brown’s career late in the first half helped the host Washington Commanders pound the Cleveland Browns 34–13.
Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels took a snap from the shotgun and fired a deep pass down the right sideline. Brown ran past cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. on a go route and made an in-stride, over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown play.
That play produced his first touchdown of the season and more yards than the 37 reception yards Brown combined for in the first four games.
His previous longest NFL receptions were a 75-yard play on Oct. 9, 2022, in a 21–17 home loss to Tennessee and a 48-yard reception on Dec. 27, 2021, in a 56–14 loss at Dallas.
In his fourth season, Brown has only seven, snagging two on a pair of targets Sunday. He made a catch for a 16-yard gain on a third-and-seven on another Commanders scoring drive.
Washington (4–1) leads the NFC East heading into next Sunday’s road showdown with Baltimore (3–2). Ravens rookie wide receiver Tez Walker, who still hasn’t made his NFL debut, was inactive for their 41–38 win at Cincinnati.
After Downs only had 11 catches in his first two games, he caught nine passes Sunday for 69 yards in the Indianapolis Colts’ 37–34 loss at Jacksonville. He was targeted only 14 times the previous two weeks, but backup quarterback Joe Flacco — filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson — targeted Downs 12 times as the wide receiver put up 15.9 fantasy points.
Downs was a victim of some curious officiating after a 20-yard reception on the game’s third play. As many players do, he gave the first down signal after the play, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Colts still scored on the drive.
Fourth-year running back Javonte Williams had another productive game as host Denver topped Las Vegas 34–18, collecting a season-high 111 total yards and 16.1 fantasy points. It was his best game since gaining 110 total yards on Nov. 14 in a 24–22 win at Buffalo.
Williams ran 13 times for 61 yards, including a season-high 17-yard carry, and caught five passes on six targets for 50 yards, including a season-long 26-yard reception on a screen pass (below).
After losing their first two games, the Broncos (3–2) have won three consecutive games, with a home contest with the Los Angeles Chargers next week.
Amari Gainer had a tackle on kickoff coverage and played 28 snaps (all on special teams) for the Raiders.
Minnesota running back Aaron Jones suffered a hip injury after running for 50 first-quarter yards in the Vikings’ 23–17 win in London over the New York Jets, making third-year running back Ty Chandler their primary ball carrier for most of the game.
Chandler had a season-high 14 carries for 30 yards and two catches for nine yards in 46 snaps. He had a long second-quarter run wiped out by a penalty. It was the biggest workload for Chandler since he ran 23 times for 123 yards on Dec. 16 in a 27–24 win at Cincinnati.
Chazz Surratt started for the Jets, recording a quarterback hit in 19 defensive snaps and also played 21 special-teams snaps.
Houston rookie British Brooks suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the Texans’ 23–20 home win over Buffalo on only his second special-teams snap and didn’t return. There’s no word on the extent of the injury. It’s the latest physical setback for Brooks, who suffered a hamstring injury in high school and missed the 2022 season at UNC with a knee injury.
Texans defensive back MJ Stewart had one special-teams assist, playing 26 snaps, all on special teams.
For the Bills, wide receiver Mack Hollins had two catches on six targets for 27 yards. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky got in for one play and handed the ball off.
In Atlanta’s 36–30 overtime home win Thursday over Tampa Bay, Mike Hughes had two tackles in 49 snaps.
Cornerback Storm Duck had one tackle in Miami’s 15–10 win over New England. Quarterback Drake Maye didn’t play for the second consecutive game and has gotten into only one game this season.
Offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu played two offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps in the New York Giants’ 29–20 win at Seattle. Quarterback Sam Howell didn’t play for the Seahawks and hasn’t made his season debut.
Offensive lineman Asim Richards reported as tackle-eligible on his only offensive snap and played six special-teams snaps in the Dallas Cowboys’ 20–17 Sunday night victory at Pittsburgh.
In Arizona’s 24–23 win at San Francisco, offensive lineman Charlie Heck played two offensive snaps and four special-teams snaps.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 24 | 5–11, 225 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 carry, 2 yards; 1 special-teams tackle
23–20 win vs. Buffalo — Played 2 special-teams snaps before suffering a knee injury in the first quarter and didn’t return
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | 4th NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 5 games, 7 catches, 94 yards (41 longest), 1 TD
34–13 win vs. Cleveland — 2 catches on 2 targets, 57 yards (41 longest), 1 TD; 37 offensive snaps (55%); 13.7 fantasy points; 76.5 PFP grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 204 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — First-string kick returner behind Kene Nwangwu; second-string running back behind Aaron Jones
Season statistics — 4 games, 42 rushes, 147 yards (25 longest); 6 catches on 5 targets, 42 yards (10 longest); no kick returns; sacked once for a 1-yard loss
23–17 win vs. New York Jets in London — 14 carries, 30 yards (5 longest); 2 catches on 2 targets, 9 yards (8 longest); 46 offensive snaps (63%), 4 special-teams snaps (14%); 5.9 fantasy points
Week 6 — off; Week 7 game at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Detroit, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | 2nd NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver ahead of Anthony Gould
Season statistics — 3 games, 20 catches on 26 targets, 173 yards (25 longest), 8.6 average, 1 TD
37–34 loss at Jacksonville — Started; 9 catches on 12 targets, 69 yards (20 longest); 43 offensive snaps (61%), 2 special-teams snaps (6); 15.9 fantasy points
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Storm Duck, Miami Dolphins cornerback
Age 23 | 6–0, 195 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Third-string right cornerback
Season statistics — 4 games, 6 tackles, 3 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 1 pass defended, 2 tackles on kickoff coverage
15–10 win at New England — 1 tackle; 5 defensive snaps (8%), 14 special-teams snaps (54%)
Week 6 — off; Week 7 game at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Indianapolis, Fox
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 310 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle behind Thomas Andrew
Season statistics — 5 games, 2 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps
29–20 win at Seattle — 2 offensive snaps (3%), 5 special-teams snaps (17%); reported as tackle-eligible for one play
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Cincinnati, NBC, Peacock
Amari Gainer, Las Vegas Raiders linebacker
Age 24 | 6–3, 235 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 5 games, 1 special-teams tackle
34–18 loss at Denver — 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 28 special-teams snaps (93%)
Week 6 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Charlie Heck, Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman
Age 27 | 6–8, 311 | 5th NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle behind Paris Johnson Jr.
Season statistics — 2 games, 13 offensive snaps, 4 special-teams snaps
24–23 win at San Franciso — Played 2 offensive snaps (3%), 4 special-teams snaps (17%)
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Green Bay, Fox
Mack Hollins, Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | 8th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting left wide receiver ahead of Keon Coleman
Season statistics — 5 games, 6 catches, 73 yards (21 longest), 1 touchdown, 1 tackle on punt coverage
23–20 loss at Houston — Started; 2 catches on 6 targets, 27 yards (21 longest); 33 offensive snaps (54%), 11 special-teams snaps (35%); 4.7 fantasy points
Week 6 — 8:15 Monday at New York Jets, ESPN
Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Age 24 | 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
29–20 loss vs. New York Giants — Didn’t play; still hasn’t made season debut
Week 6 — 8:15 Thursday vs. San Francisco, Prime Video
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 27 | 5–10, 191 | 7th NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting left cornerback ahead of Clark Phillips III
Season statistics — 5 games, 18 tackles, 5 assists, 3 tackles for losses, 2 passes defended
36–30 OT Thursday win vs. Tampa Bay — Started; 2 tackles; 43 defensive snaps (81%), 6 special-teams snaps (19%); 2.0 fantasy points
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday at Carolina, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Jacoby Brissett
Season statistics — 1 game, 4 of 8, 22 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 sacks for 13 yards, 56.2 passer rating; 2 carries, 12 yards
15–10 loss vs. Miami — Didn’t play
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
24 | 6–4, 307 | 2nd NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 4 games; 1 offensive snap, 15 special-teams snaps through Week 4
20–17 win at Pittsburgh — Played 1 offensive snap (1%), reporting as tackle-eligible and 6 special-teams snaps (25%)
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Detroit, Fox
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 28 | 5–11, 205 | 7th NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string strong safety
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 special-teams assist
23–20 win vs. Buffalo — 1 special team assist; 26 special-teams snaps (84%); 0.5 of a fantasy point
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, CBS
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 27 | 6–2, 233 | 4th NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string middle linebacker
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 QB hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
23–17 loss vs. Minnesota in London — Started; 1 quarterback hit; 19 defensive snaps (26%), 21 special-teams snaps (72%)
Week 6 — 8:15 Monday vs. Buffalo, ESPN
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–2, 220 | 8th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 of 3, 5 yards; 3 carries, -3 yards
23–20 loss at Houston — Played one offensive snap (2%) and handed off
Week 6 — 8:15 Monday at New York Jets, ESPN
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
41–38 win at Cincinnati — Not active for the game; still hasn’t made NFL debut
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington, CBS
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
Age 24 | 5–10, 220 | 4th NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Samaje Perine
Season statistics — 5 games, 53 carries, 190 yards (17 longest), 3.6 average; 17 catches on 20 targets, 130 yards (26 longest), 4.8 average
34–18 win vs. Las Vegas — 13 carries, 61 yards (17 longest); 5 catches on 6 targets, 50 yards (26 longest); 40 offensive snaps (63%); 16.1 fantasy points
Week 6 — 4:05 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 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 squads
Arizona running back Michael Carter
N.Y. Giants linebacker Tomon Fox (has played 1 game with 1 special-team tackle)
Waived during training camp
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 @Colts
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