By R.L. Bynum
Thirteen former Carolina players — including running back Michael Carter, linebacker Chazz Surratt and eight rookies — were released Tuesday as NFL teams trimmed their rosters down to 53.
It’s possible that other teams could sign the players released, or they could be re-signed to the practice squad of the team that released them.
The cuts leave 20 former Tar Heels on NFL rosters.
After two seasons with Dallas, where he played 220 offensive snaps, the Cowboys dealt versatile offensive lineman Asim Richards to New Orleans on Tuesday. The Saints made the deal after tackle Landon Young hurt his ankle in the preseason finale. He’s on the injured list, while backups Will Clapp and Nick Saldiveri both suffered season-ending injuries in camp.
The New York Giants placed offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu on the “reserve/designated to return” list.
The only rookies still on rosters are Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton and Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie, who is on the Texans’ active/non-football injury list.
The Arizona Cardinals released Carter and rookie wide receiver Nate McCollum. Carter has eight carries for 24 yards in the preseason.
Surratt came to camp with the San Francisco 49ers after recording 17 tackles last season with the New York Jets. Surratt played in two preseason games, with 10 tackles and six assists.
Other rookies released Tuesday were Miami linebacker Eugene Asanti, Jacksonville tight end John Copenhaver, Chicago linebacker Power Echols, Tennessee linebacker Desmond Evans, Los Angeles Rams center Willie Lampkin, Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit, New England defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie and Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker.
Other UNC alums released Tuesday were New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox and Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer. Pittsburgh released defensive back Kyler McMichael on Friday.
Where Tar Heels stand on NFL rosters
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 — 6 games, 2 starts, 9 catches, 94 yards (48 longest); 46.7 offensive grade, 48.72 pass grade, 40.1 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade
Week 8 — Commanders 27, Eagles 10 (home) | didn’t start: 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 15 offensive snaps (25%), 10 special-teams snaps (36%); 55.2 offensive grade, 55.2 pass grade, 59.6 run-block grade
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Week 10 — 8:15 Thursday at New York Giants, Prime Video
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 — 3 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 48.2 offensive grade, 61.1 pass grade, 25.0 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — Bengals 43, Titans 36 (road) | 13 offensive snaps (17%); 52.2 offensive grade, 53.9 pass grade, season-low 16.3 pass-block grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
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 — 8 games, 5 starts, 30 catches, 330 yards (42 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 carry, 7 yards; 2 punt returns, 20 yards; 70.5 offensive grade, 70.1 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 62.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — Jaguars 42, Colts 7 (road) | started: 4 catches on 5 targets, 23 yards, (8 longest), 1 touchdown (6-yard pass from Daniel Jones); 1 punt return, 20 yards; 57.1 offensive grade, 57.0 pass grade, 58.8 run-block grade; 46 offensive snaps (75%), 4 special-teams snaps (14%) 12.3 fantasy points
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Miami, 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 — 6 games, 1 start, 87 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 57.3 offensive grade, 56.8 pass-blocking grade, 62.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 8 — Broncos 28, Chiefs 24 (road) | didn’t play
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 2 starts, 16 tackles, 16 assists, ½ sack; 63.0 defensive grade, 65.0 run grade, 88.3 tackle grade, 51.8 pass-rush grade, 63.2 coverage grade
Week 8 — Bengals 43, Titans 36 (road) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 2 assists; 64.0 defensive grade, 66.8 run grade, 76.0 tackle grade, 58.7 pass-rush grade, 60.6 coverage grade; 33 defensive snaps (45%), 25 special-teams snaps (83%); 2.0 fantasy points
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
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 — 7 games, 5 starts, 89 carries, 309 yards (17 longest), 3.5 average, 3 touchdowns; 11 catches, 63 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 57.9 offensive grade, 56.9 pass game grade, 80.5 pass-block grade, 57.0 run grade
Week 8 — Rams 24, Chargers 9 (road) | started: 9 carries, 20 yards (6 longest), 2 catches on 3 targets, 7 yards (4 longest); 18 offensive snaps; season-low 43.0 offensive grade; season-low 30.7 pass grade; season-low 49.0 run grade; 18 offensive snaps (30%); 4.7 fantasy points
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Week 10 — 8:15 Monday at Baltimore, ESPN
Charlie Heck, Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Reserve; signed Thursday to 53-man roster after Miami waived him during training camp
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay) — 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Week 8 — Jaguars 42, Colts 7 (road) | not active
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Miami, CBS
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 — 8 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 56.1 special-teams grade
Week 8 — Steelers 27, Browns 6 (home) | 6 special-teams snaps; 60.6 special-teams grade; 15 special-teams snaps(60%)
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 8:20 Sunday at Cincinnati, NBC
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fifth 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 grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 8 — Cardinals 33, Cowboys 30, OT (home) | didn’t play
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 10 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 8 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 11 assists, 5 passes defended; 51.1 defensive grade, 89.4 run grade, 62.0 tackle grade, 41.9 coverage grade
Week 8 — Bucs 16, Falcons 0 (road) | didn’t start: 1 pass defended; 86.6 defensive grade, 60.8 run grade, 86.7 coverage grade; 8 defensive snaps (13%), 5 special-teams snaps (24%)
Week 9 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati in Madrid, NFL Network
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Kansas City, CBS
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Season statistics — 1 game, 13 special-teams snaps (45%); 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 8 — Jaguars 42, Colts 7 (road) | not active
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday at Baltimore, Prime Video
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
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 — 8 games, 2 starts; 129 offensive snaps, 26 special-teams snaps; 54.1 offensive grade
Week 8 — Commanders 27, Eagles 10 (road) | 1 offensive snap (1%), 7 special-teams snaps (25%)
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Week 10 — Open date
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 24 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 8 games, 8 starts, 157 of 234, 1,983 yards (8.5 average), 15 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 16 sacks (76 yards in losses), 100.4 pass rating; 46 carries, 216 yards, 3.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 1 fumbles (2 lost), 2 fumble recoveries; 81.7 offensive grade, 80.3 pass grade, 68.8 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — Patriots 24, Dolphins 19 (road) | started: 16 of 20, 199 yards (48 longest), 2 touchdowns (43-yard pass to K. Williams; 9:23, 3rd quarter; 48-yard pass to D. Douglas, 12:39, fourth quarter), 3 sacks (17 yards in losses), 141.5 passer rating; 8 carries, 5 yards (2 longest), 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 0:59, third quarter); 1 fumble, 2 fumble recoveries; 60 offensive snaps (100%); 76.3 offensive grade, 79.8 pass grade, 56.9 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 22.46 fantasy points
Week 9 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Green Bay, Fox
Week 10 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Detroit in Munich, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting left tackle
Season statistics — 7 games, 317 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 50.9 offensive grade, 49.0 pass-blocking grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety (activated from PUP list on Oct. 10)
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 pass defended; 49.9 defensive grade, 44.8 run defense grade, 43.9 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 56.7 special-teams grade
Week 8 — Bears 34, Seahawks 17 (home) | 19 special-teams snaps (68%); 62.0 special-teams grade
Week 9 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Week 10 — 4:05 Sunday at Las Vegas, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 32 | 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 8 — Bengals 43, Titans 36 (road) | didn’t play
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 7 games, 3 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.3 offensive grade, 57.3 pass grade, 65.9 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 8 — Bills 36, Ravens 10 (road) | 8 offensive snaps; 56.7 offensive grade, 57.3 pass grade, 59.5 run-block grade
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Jacksonville, Prime Video
Week 10 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, ESPN
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 8 games, 8 starts, 134 carries, 528 yards (3.9 average), 8 touchdowns; 20 catches, 104 yards (17 longest), 5.2 average, 1 touchdown; 2 fumbles; 70.8 offensive grade, 77.0 pass grade, 54.9 pass-block grade, 69.2 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — Cardinals 33, Cowboys 30, OT (home) | started: 24 carries, 56 yards (6 longest); 1 catch on 2 targets, 1 yard; 1 fumble; season-low 46.6 offensive grade, 54.3 pass grade; 39.5 pass-block grade, season-low 48.5 run grade; 60.0 run-block grade; 55 offensive snaps (74%); 6.7 fantasy points
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 10 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
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 practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all 3 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
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in 2 preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and 2assists in 3preseason games
— 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 @AZCardinals
