By R.L. Bynum
After sitting out last weekend’s exhibition game, running back Omarion Hampton reportedly had his best practice of the Los Angeles Chargers’ training camp on Monday in a 9-on-7 period focusing on run plays.
Hampton is listed as the backup to Najee Harris on the Chargers’ depth chart, but could start if Harris begins the season on the injured list as he recovers from an eye injury. Reports suggest that he won’t be ready for the Friday, Sept. 5, opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The final week of preseason begins Thursday:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers (Cole Holcomb and Kyler McMichael) at the Carolina Panthers — 7 p.m. (WRAL, NFL Network)
- The New England Patriots (Drake Maye, Mack Hollins and Jahvaree Ritzie) at the New York Giants (Joshua Ezeudu and Tomon Fox) — 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Running back Javonte Williams, in his first season in Dallas, still hasn’t played a snap in the preseason for the Cowboys, but is expected to start ahead of Miles Sanders, one of six Tar Heels atop depth charts.
Wide receiver Dyami Brown, in his first season in Jacksonville and expected to start, was back as a full participant in practice this week after sitting out last week’s 17–17 tie with New Orleans because of stiffness in his lower body.
Wide receiver Josh Downs hasn’t played a preseason snap after lower-body issues hampered him last season. The starter for Indianapolis, he probably would have played last weekend, but suffered a hamstring injury in practice late last week.
Other Tar Heels listed atop depth charts:
— Second-year Miami cornerback Storm Duck (4 tackles in 41 preseason snaps)
— Eighth-year Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes (hasn’t played in the preseason)
— Maye (7 of 12, 58 yards in 29 preseason snaps)
While Maye is a lock to start for the Patriots, two other former UNC quarterbacks are in a battle to win backup jobs.
Sam Howell is the most experienced of a group vying to be the No. 2 quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings behind J.J. McCarthy, in a battle with Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer. Howell was only 1 of 5 for 13 yards and an interception in last weekend’s 20–12 loss to the New England Patriots after going 11 of 13 for 105 yards in the first exhibition game on Aug. 9, a 20–10 win over the Texans.
Mitch Trubisky has battled Mike White to back up Josh Allen in Buffalo. Even though White started in the Bills’ 38–0 loss last weekend at Chicago, Trubisky appears to have the edge. He is 16 of 26 for 193 yards and one TD in two preseason games.
Other UNC alums listed as second string entering the final exhibition games:
— Fourth-year Giants left tackle Ezeudu (82 offensive snaps in preseason)
— Second-year Titans left inside linebacker Cedric Gray (7 tackles, 7 assists, half a sack, 1 tackle for a loss in 80 preseason snaps)
— Sixth-year Bucs left tackle Charlie Heck (35 preseason snaps)
— Seventh-year Steelers inside linebacker Holcomb (3 tackles, 2 assists in 59 preseason snaps)
— Eighth-year Texans free safety M.J. Stewart (2 tackles, 1 assist in 58 preseason snaps)
Tar Heels listed as third string:
— Fourth-year Giants outside linebacker Fox (2 assists, 1 special-teams assist in 99 total preseason snaps)
— Second-year Raiders outside linebacker Amari Gainer (1 tackle on punt coverage in 21 total preseason snaps)
— Nine-year veteran Patriots wide receiver Hollins (3 catches for 38 yards in 18 preseason offensive snaps)
— Rookie Rams center Willie Lampkin (49 preseason offensive snaps).
— Third-year Cowboys left tackle Asim Richards (1 tackle after a lost fumble in 71 preseason offensive snaps)
— Rookie Patriots defensive tackle Ritzie (2 tackles in 30 total preseason snaps).
— Fifth-year 49ers middle linebacker Chazz Surratt (5 tackles, 1 assist in 38 total snaps, only playing in the second preseason game)
— Second-year Ravens wide receiver Tez Walker (6 catches for 61 yards in 95 total preseason snaps)
There are many Tar Heels who will be fighting for roster spots between now and when rosters must be cut to 53 by 4 p.m. on Aug. 26.
— Houston running back British Brooks is the sixth-string running back on the Texans’ depth chart. He only played five offensive snaps in last week’s 20–3 win over the Carolina Panthers, but scored on a 1-yard touchdown run on his only carry.
— Arizona running back Michael Carter, in his fifth NFL season, is the Cardinals’ fifth-string running back. He has 151 yards on 42 carries in two preseason games.
— Rookie Jags wide receiver John Copenhaver is the fourth-string tight end. He’s only played five offensive snaps combined in the first two preseason games.
— Rookie linebacker Power Echols is a fourth-string linebacker with the Chicago Bears. He has three assists and a fumble recovery in 43 defensive snaps over two preseason games.
— Rookie cornerback Alijah Huzzie isn’t listed on Houston’s unofficial depth chart on the team’s website (although he is the fourth-string nickelback, according to ESPN), and hasn’t played in either preseason game but was reportedly observing practice this week.
— Rookie wide receiver Nate McCollum isn’t on the Arizona depth chart on the team’s website, but ESPN lists him as fourth string. He only has 12 offensive snaps through two exhibitions and hasn’t been targeted for a pass.
— Defensive back Kyler McMichael is with Pittsburgh in his fifth training camp and trying to finally make his NFL debut. He’s listed as the fourth-string right cornerback and has two assists in 49 defensive snaps in preseason play.
— Rookie Kaimon Rucker, who signed with Baltimore after not getting drafted, is fourth string at the rush position for the Ravens. He has a tackle, two assists, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery in 48 defensive snaps through two preseason games.
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 —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Wild-card round: Texans 30, Steelers 6 — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 18 special-teams snaps (72%)
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday at New England, ESPN, ABC
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Reserve wide receiver
Season statistics — 17 games, 7 starts, 23 catches, 220 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Wild-card round: Bills 27, Jaguars 24 — Not active for the game
The Jaguars’ season ended with the loss.
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 14 games, 5 starts, 92 carries, 331 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 33 catches on 39 targets, 267 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 18: Rams 37, Cardinals 20 — Started; 7 carries, 18 yards (2.6 average, 5 longest); 3 catches on 3 targets, 21 yards (7.0 average, 11 longest); 29 offensive snaps (53%), 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Arizona finished fourth in the NFC West at 3–13.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string kickoff returner; third-string running back
Season statistics — 3 games, 17 carries, 47 yards (5 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 11 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage
Week 18: Vikings 16, Packers 3 — 10 carries, 23 yards (2.3 average; 5 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 11 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest); 29 offensive snaps (43%), 6 special-teams snaps (26%)
Minnesota finished third in the NFC North at 9–8.
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 — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rush, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Week 18: Texans 38, Colts 30 — Started; 1 carry, -5 yards; 4 catches on 4 targets, 61 yards (15.3 average, 30 longest); 1 punt return, 13 yards; 41 offensive snaps (63%), 3 special-teams snaps (8%)
Indianapolis finished third in the AFC South at 8–9.
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 16 games, 15 starts, 94 tackles, 65 assists, 7 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 18: Jaguars 41, Titans 7 — Started; 3 tackles, 5 assists; 59 defensive snaps (97%)
Tennessee finished fourth in the AFC South at 3–14.
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Wild-card round: Patriots 16, Chargers 3— 1 carry, -1 yards, 2 offensive snaps (3%)
The Chargers’ season ended with the loss.
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 — 18 games, 1 tackle; 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Week 18: Bucs 16, Panthers 14 — 2 offensive snaps (3%), 5 special-teams snaps (23%)
Tampa Bay finished tied for first in the NFC South at 8–9 but didn’t make the playoffs.
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 18: Steelers 26, Ravens 24 — Played off the bench
Wild-card weekend — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Houston, ABC, ESPN
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); didn’t play in regular season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Wild-card round: 49ers 23, Eagles 19 — Not active for the game
Philadelphia’s season ended with the loss
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 18: Falcons 19, Saints 17 — Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Atlanta finished tie for first in the NFC South at 8–9 but didn’t make the playoffs.
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception (0 return yards), 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Wild-card round: Texans 30, Steelers 6 — Not active for the game
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday at New England, ESPN, ABC
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 — 17 games, 17 starts, 354 of 492, 4,494 (72 longest), 71.9%, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses), 113.5 rating; 103 carries, 450 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 3 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Wild-card round: Patriots 16, Chargers 3— Started; 17 of 29, 268 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 5 sacks (33 yards in losses), 86.6 passer rating; 10 carries, 66 yards (37 longest); 64 offensive snaps (100%)
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, ABC/ESPN
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 — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Week 18: Falcons 19, Saints 17 — Rreported tackle-eligible twice; 56 offensive snaps (82%), 4 special-teams snaps (14%)
New Orleans finished fourth in the NFC South at 6–11.
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 — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yard (9 longest)
Wild-card round: Bills 27, Jaguars 24 — Didn’t play
Divisional round — 4:30 Saturday at Denver, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 11 games, 2 starts, 6 catches, 136 yards (38 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 18: Steelers 26, Ravens 24 — 2 catches on 2 targets, 46 yards (38 longest), 1 touchdown
Baltimore finished second in the AFC North at 8–9.
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 — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 18: Giants 34, Cowboys 17 — Didn’t play
Dallas finished second in the NFC East at 7–9.
Finished season on IR
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
New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen 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 @chargers
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