By R.L. Bynum
In one of the most productive Sundays for former North Carolina players in recent memory, Tar Heels accounted for eight touchdowns in Week 2, led by an outstanding performance from second-year quarterback Drake Maye and a two-score day from Baltimore’s Tez Walker.
Maye ran for a touchdown and threw for two others, one of those to Mack Hollins, as New England moved to 1–1 with a 33–27 win at Miami. Also scoring touchdowns were Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown, his first with the Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams in a big day for him.
Maye was 19 of 23 passing for 230 yards with a 137.3 passer rating and added 31 rushing yards. He wasted no time getting the Patriots on the board, connecting with Hollins for an eight-yard touchdown on the opening drive for his first TD reception as a Patriot. Hollins started and the TD pass was his only catch in two targets.
A second strike, this one a 16-yard score to Kayshon Boutte, followed on the next possession before Maye capped his day with a six-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
“That feels good. Took everybody,” Maye said. “That’s the biggest thing. It took me. It took special teams, offense, defense, trainers — everybody. I’m just proud of our guys for just sticking with it. So many ebbs and flows of the game.”
Maye credited the team’s resilience after a Week 1 loss and noted how important it was to finish drives against Miami.
“We were preaching all week to start fast,” Maye said. “We did that, and we knew they could respond, and they responded well. We got to come back out of half better. Now we’ve got to keep drives going in the second half, get the first first down, because once we do that, I think we’re pretty tough to stop.”
Maye said that the Patriots’ success on the ground played a key role in keeping Miami’s defense honest, and praised the work of his offensive line.
“All three backs made a big impact today, and the guys up front blocked hard,” he said. “Really happy with the performance on the ground today.”
The trip to Miami came with its challenges, but Maye shrugged off concerns about dealing with the humidity.
“Feeling good,” Maye said. “Warmups out here in this humidity? It’s what I grew up throwing in in North Carolina. The ball feels good, so just spinning it well.”
For Maye, Sunday wasn’t just about individual numbers — it was about proving what this Patriots team can be.
“I think it’s proof of why you work so hard, why you have extra meetings, why you get treatment on time, why you do the little things,” he said. “You have proof now it can turn out and come up in the win column. So I’m just proud of these guys.”
Walker doubled his career touchdown total in Baltimore’s 41–17 rout of Cleveland, catching both of his targets for scores — a two-yarder early in the third quarter and a 24-yard strike in the fourth.
In Dallas, running back Williams had his most productive game since 2021, rushing for 97 yards on 18 carries, including a 30-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the Cowboys’ 40–37 overtime win over the Giants. Williams also caught six passes for 33 yards to finish with 130 total yards.
Both of Williams’ games with more rushing yards came in his rookie season with the Denver Broncos in 2021: 111 yards against the Cowboys and 102 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Brown opened the scoring in the Jaguars’ 31–27 loss at Cincinnati by catching a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Brown finished with five catches for 57 yards and added a nine-yard rush. A Lawrence pass to the end zone early in the fourth quarter went through Brown’s hands.
Josh Downs started after coming off the bench in Week 1 and had 6 catches on 8 targets for 51 yards, including a 19-yard reception in Indianapolis’ 29–28 home victory over the Denver Broncos. The Colts are 2–0 for the first time since 2009.
Linebacker Cedric Gray had three tackles and two assists, one on kickoff coverage in the Tennessee Titans’ 33–19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He got called for two penalties.
Mitch Trubisky made a brief appearance in Buffalo’s 30–10 win over the Jets, completing one of two pass attempts for 32 yards while Josh Allen was briefly sidelined with a bloody nose.
Omarion Hampton had a quiet night in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 20–9 win Monday night at Las Vegas. He started and played 36 snaps, but only had eight carries for 24 yards and one catch for one yard.
After playing no offensive snaps in his Bucs debut in Week 1, offensive tackle Charlie Heck played 68 offensive snaps, in addition to three special-teams snaps, in Monday’s 20–19 win at Houston.
Houston running back British Brooks played 19 special-teams snaps, New Orleans offensive lineman Asim Richards played four special-teams snaps, Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt had one assist on kickoff coverage (playing only on special teams), Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb had two tackles, including one on kickoff coverage, Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes had two tackles and Houston’s M.J. Stewart played 17 special-teams snaps.
Miami defensive back Storm Duck wasn’t active because of an ankle injury and Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell didn’t play.
Minnesota placed running back Ty Chandler on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Two rookies were waived from practice squads — linebacker Power Echols by Chicago and defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England — and Arizona signed running back Michael Carter to its practice squad.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
2024 season statistics — 5 games, 1 carry, 2 yards; suffered season-ending torn meniscus in Week 5
Season opener — Rams 14, Texans 9: not active for the game after Jakob Johnson was elevated from the practice squad
Week 2: Bucs 20, Texans 19 — Played 19 special-teams snaps (76%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
2024 season statistics — 18 games, 41 catches, 495 yards (51 longest), 2 TDs; 3 carries, 25 yards (14 longest); 0 of 1 passing
Season opener — Jaguars 26, Panthers 10: started; 3 catches on 4 targets, 52 yards (23 longest); 2 carries, 6 yards (4 longest); 47 offensive snaps (71%)
Week 2: Bengals 31, Jaguars 27 — Started; 5 catches on 7 targets, 57 yards (18 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 carry, 9 yards; 57 offensive snaps (80%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2024 season statistics — 14 games, 72 catches, 803 yards (69 longest), 5 TDs; 1 carry, 12 yards; 16 punt returns, 161 yards (23 longest); 1 tackle; 1 fumble recovery
Season opener — Colts 33, Dolphins 8: Didn’t start; 2 catches on 3 targets, 12 yards (6 longest); 36 offensive snaps (49%)
Week 2: Colts 29, Broncos 28 — Started; 6 catches on 8 targets, 51 yards (19 longest); 41 offensive snaps (58%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Storm Duck, Miami Dolphins cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
2024 season statistics — 14 games, 23 tackles, 11 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles on kickoff coverage
Season opener — Colts 33, Dolphins 8: Started; 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; injured, left game late in first half with an ankle injury; 29 defensive snaps (40%), 3 special-teams snaps (17%)
Week 2: Patriots 33, Dolphins 27 — Not active for the game because of an ankle injury
Week 3 — 8:15 Thursday at Buffalo, Prime Video
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Second-string left inside linebacker
2024 season statistics — 7 games, 6 tackles, 8 assists, 7 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Season opener — Broncos 20, Titans 12: Started; 4 tackles, 3 assists, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 62 defensive snaps (82%), 11 special-teams snaps (38%)
Week 2: Rams 33, Titans 19 — Started; 3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 1 illegal blindside block penalty; 1 penalty for a horse-collar tackle; 57 defensive snaps (93%), 14 special-teams snaps (45%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Second-string running back behind Najee Harris
2024 season statistics (UNC) — 12 games, 281 carries, 1,660 yards, 15 TDs, 38 catches, 373 yards, 2 TDs
Season opener — Chargers 27, Chiefs 21: started; 15 carries, 48 yards (11 longest); 2 catches on 2 targets, 13 yards (7 longest); 52 offensive snaps (80%), 1 special-teams snap (4%); Harris played 12 snaps (18%)
Week 2: Chargers 20, Raiders 9 — Started: 8 carries, 24 yards (15 longest); 1 catch on 2 targets, 1 yard; 36 offensive snaps (62%)
Week 3 — 4:05 p.m. Sunday vs. Denver, CBS
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics (Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers) — 9 games, 1 tackle
Season opener — Bucs 23, Falcons 20: played 5 special-teams snaps (19%)
Week 2: Bucs 20, Texans 19 — Played 68 offensive snaps (85%) and 3 special-teams snaps (12%) off the bench.
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2024 season statistics — Missed season recovering from left knee injury suffered in Week 9 of the 2023 season
Season opener — Steelers 34, Jets 32: Played 8 special-teams snaps (26%)
Week 2: Seahawks 31, Steelers 17 — 1 tackle, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 13 defensive snaps (20%), 19 special-teams snaps (68%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
2024 season statistics (Buffalo Bills) — 18 games, 30 catches, 384 yards (44 longest), 5 TDs; 1 tackle; 2 special-teams tackles; 1 special-teams fumble recovery; 1 kickoff return, 38 yards
Season opener — Raiders 20, Patriots 13: started; 1 catch on 2 targets, 3 yards; 40 offensive snaps (56%), 9 special-teams snaps (31%)
Week 2: Patriots 33, Dolphins 27 — Started; 1 catch on 2 targets, 8 yards, 1 touchdown; 39 offensive snaps (65%), 7 special-teams snaps (25%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
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) — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 INT, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Season opener — Eagles 24, Cowboys 20: Didn’t play
Week 2: Eagles 20, Chiefs 17 — Didn’t play
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. L.A. Rams, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
2024 season statistics — 15 games, 47 tackles, 15 assists, 4 tackles for losses, 6 passes defended
Season opener — Bucs 23, Falcons 20: started; 2 assists; 58 defensive snaps (100%)
Week 2: Falcons 22, Vikings 6 — Started: 2 tackles; 47 defensive snaps (100%), 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Carolina, Fox
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
2024 season statistics — 13 games, 225 of 338, 2,276 yards (40 longest), 15 TDs, 10 INTs, 33 sacks for 220, 88.3 passer rating; 54 carries, 421 yards (41 longest), 7.8 average, 2 TDs; 1 tackle
Season opener — Raiders 20, Patriots 13: Started; 30 of 46, 287 yards (27 longest), 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 4 sacks for 11 yards, 80.6 passer rating; 4 rushes, 11 yards (4 longest); 1 fumble (Pats recovered); 71 offensive snaps (100%); 26.3 fantasy points
Week 2: Patriots 33, Dolphins 27 — Started; 19 of 23, 230 yards (55 longest), 3 sacks for 19 yards, 137.3 passer rating; 10 carries, 31 yards (13 longest); 1 fumble (Maye recovered it); 60 offensive snaps (100%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2024 season statistics (Cowboys) — 13 games
Season opener — Cardinals 20, Saints 13: Didn’t start; 32 offensive snaps (43%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%), reported as tackle-eligible twice
Week 2: 49ers 26, Saints 21 — Played 4 special-teams snaps (15%)
Week 3 — 4:05 Sunday at Seattle, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 29 | 5–11, 205 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string free safety
2024 season statistics — 16 games, 6 tackles, 1 assist; 2 tackles for losses; 1 fumble recovery, 2 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Season opener — Rams 14, Texans 9: played 17 special-teams snaps (85%)
Week 2: Bucs 20, Texans 19 — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 22 special-teams snaps (88%)
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 28 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Uncertain
Season statistics (New York Jets) — 17 games, 17 tackles, 5 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 1 QB hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Season opener — 49ers 17, Seahawks 13: 1 assist on punt coverage; 15 special-teams snaps (65%)
Week 2: Seahawks 31, Steelers 17 — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 19 special-teams snaps (68%)
Week 3 — 4:05 Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
2024 season statistics — 10 games, 19 of 26, 179 yards (20 longest), 2 TDs; 18 carries, -2 yards (8 longest)
Season opener — Bills 41, Ravens 40: Didn’t play
Week 2: Bills 30, Jets 10 — 1 for 2, 32 yards, 95.8 passer rating; 3 carries, -3 yards (three kneel-downs); 10 offensive snaps (13%)
Week 3 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Miami, Prime Video
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
2024 season statistics — 10 games, 1 catch on 1 target, 21 yards, TD; 2 special-teams tackles
Season opener — Bills 41, Ravens 40: Played 21 special-teams snaps (60%)
Week 2: Ravens 41, Browns 17 — Started; 2 catches on 2 targets, 26 yards (24 longest), 2 touchdowns; 13 offensive snaps (23%), 21 special-teams snaps (64%)
Week 3 — 8:15 Monday vs. Detroit, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2
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
2024 season statistics (Denver Broncos) — 17 games, 141 carries, 514 yards (20 longest), 4 TDs; 51 catches, 310 yards (34 longest); 2 fumbles
Season opener — Eagles 24, Cowboys 20: Started; 15 carries, 54 yards (11 longest), 2 TDs; 2 catches on 3 targets, 10 yards (7 longest); 18.4 fantasy points; 47 offensive snaps (77%)
Week 2: Cowboys 40, Giants 37, OT — Started; 18 carries, 97 yards (30 longest), 1 TD; 6 catches on 7 targets, 33 yards (11 longest); 64 offensive snaps (72%); 19.0 fantasy points
Week 3 — 4:25 Sunday at Chicago, Fox
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
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
On practice squads
Arizona running back Michael Carter
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
On reserve/non-football injury list
Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
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
Photos via @Patriots, @Ravens
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