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
Marcus Allen, Minnesota Vikings cornerback
Age 22 | 6–1, 197 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–25
Roster situation — Third string right cornerback
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 29 tackles, 7 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 0.5 of a sack, 8 passes defended
Camp opens — Sunday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Austin Blaske, Los Angeles Rams center
Age 24 | 6–5, 310 | rookie season | UNC 2024–25
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (UNC) —9 games
Camp opens — Saturday
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — First-string fullback
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string left wide receiver
2025 statistics (Jacksonville) — 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)
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Miami
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Philadelphia, Fox
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
2025 statistics (Arizona) — 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
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New York Jets, CBS
Ty Chandler, New Orleans Saints running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back; fourth-string kick returner
2025 statistics (Minnesota) — 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
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Thaddeus Dixon, New York Giants cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — On season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles during rookie minicamp in May
2025 statistics (UNC) —7 games, 13 tackles, 6 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 6 passes defended
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 24 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2025 statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rush, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 at New England
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Third-string left tackle
2025 statistics — Missed season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 25 vs. Minnesota
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 vs. Dallas, NBC
Tomon Fox, Los Angeles Rams linebacker
Age 28 | 6–3, 260 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics (Giants) —9 games, 5 tackles
Camp opens — Saturday
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
Amari Gainer, New England Patriots linebacker
Age 26 | 6–3, 240 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string left inside linebacker
2025 statistics (Las Vegas) —17 games, 3 tackles, 3 assists, 2 solo tackles
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
2025 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
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 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
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at Houston
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Charlie Heck, Miami Dolphins offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string right tackle
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay)— 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Washington
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Los Angeles Raiders, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2025 statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Green Bay, NFL Network
Season opener —1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Atlanta, Fox
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys 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 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 12 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 1 interception
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Denver
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Pittsburgh, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string nickelback
2025 statistics — 2 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception, 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (Eagles) —Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at Baltimore
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Washington, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
2025 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)
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Bryson Nesbit, Minnesota Vikings tight end
Age 23 | 6–5, 228 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–24
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
Camp opens — Sunday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2025 statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Jacksonville
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Detroit, Fox
Jahvaree Ritzie, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle
Age 23 | 6–4, 294 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fourth-string defensive tackle
2025 statistics (New England) —Spent season on practice squad
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Kaimon Rucker, Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Age 24 | 6–2, 265 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–24
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Third-string free safety
2025 statistics — 9 games, no statistics
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 11 games, 4 tackles
Camp opens — Friday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Dallas, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 9 vs. New England, NBC
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics (Buffalo) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Smith Vilbert, Minnesota Vikings defensive end
Age 25 | 6–6, 282 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — Third-string defensive end
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 11 tackles, 11 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack, 2 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 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
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 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
Camp opens — Tuesday
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Photo via @AZCardinals
