By R.L. Bynum
Week 11, which started Thursday with another impressive game from Drake Maye, ended Monday with an efficient, workhorse showing from Javonte Williams. In between, linebacker Cedric Gray had another outstanding game.
In a season-high 22 carries, Williams ran for 93 yards in the Dallas Cowboys’ easy 33–16 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, marking his fourth game with at least 90 rushing yards this season.
It was the biggest workload for Williams since he had 27 carries for 85 yards for the Denver Broncos at Kansas City on Oct. 12, 2023. He is fifth in the league with 809 rushing yards.
He only got that many carries twice at Carolina: when he ran 22 times for 111 yards in a 20–17 home win over Duke on Oct. 26, 2019, and his career-high 236 yards on 23 carries in a 62–26 victory at Miami on Dec. 12, 2020.
His productivity came in the Allegiant Stadium, where he has bad memories. Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby fell on him on Oct. 2, 2022, causing Williams’ knee to buckle and a catastrophic injury.
Gray, a second-year Tennessee Titans linebacker, continued his sensational season with six tackles, five assists, one tackle for a loss, one fumble recovery and defended a pass in the Titans’ 16–13 loss to Houston. His Pro Football Focus defensive grade for the game was 87.6, the third game this season it’s been at least 85.
Gray, who is third in the NFL in tackles, has a 91.6 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade, ranking second among all linebackers behind Detroit’s Jack Campbell. Since Week 3, he’s had double-digit tackles in all but one week.
Gray, named alternate captain for the game, has been a bright spot for the Titans, who are 1–9 with a five-game losing streak.
“I think I’m just trying to keep getting better as a player, personally, and then, as a team, just keep fighting,” Gray said. “That’s been the motto that we’ve been going by these past few weeks. We just got to keep fighting, keep playing, and it’s gonna turn for us.”
Gray is on pace to make 165 total tackles, which would break Azeez Al-Shaair’s Titans record of 163 in 2023.
Maye and Mack Hollins played well as the New England Patriots got Week 11 started with their eighth consecutive victory with a 27–14 home victory Thursday night over the New York Jets. Read details about that game here.
Elsewhere in the NFL during Week 12:
— Arizona running back Michael Carter had seven catches for 22 yards, two carries for six yards, one kickoff return for 27 yards and one tackle after an interception.
— Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown had no catches on one target in 19 snaps.
— New Orleans offensive tackle Charlie Heck played five special-teams snaps.
— Playing off the bench with no statistics were Houston running back British Brooks (19 special-teams snaps), Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (17 special-teams snaps) and Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker (nine offensive snaps, 14 special-teams snaps).
— Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell, Atlanta defensive back Mike Hughes, and Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb weren’t active for their teams’ games, and Buffalo quarterback Mitch Trubisky didn’t play.
With the weekend off were Josh Downs’ Indianapolis Colts and Asim Richards’ New Orleans Saints.
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 — 6 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 3 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
Week 11: Texans 16, Titans 13 — Played 19 special-teams snaps (70%)
Week 12 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Buffalo, Prime Video
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 10 games, 7 starts, 21 catches, 208 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD; 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 11: Jaguars 35, Chargers 6 — Didn’t start; 0 catches on 1 target; 19 offensive snaps (27%)
Week 12 — 4:05 Sunday at Arizona, CBS
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 39 carries, 107 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 14 catches on 19 targets, 99 yards (16 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 11: 49ers 41, Cardinals 22 — 2 carries, 6 yards (3 longest); 5 catches on 7 targets, 22 yards (7 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards, 1 tackle on interception; 33 offensive snaps (42%), 3 special-teams snaps (10%)
Week 12 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Jacksonville, CBS
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 — 8 games, 5 starts, 30 catches, 259 yards (29 longest), 2 touchdowns; 5 punt returns, 55 yards
Week 11 — Open date
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Kansas City, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 10 games, 10 starts, 55 tackles, 42 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 1 quarterback pressure, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 fumble recovery
Week 11: Texans 16, Titans 13 — Started; 6 tackles, 5 assists, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery; 70 defensive snaps (100%), 6 special-teams snaps (22%)
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Seattle, Fox
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 — 11 games, 1 tackle; 682 offensive snaps, 45 special-teams snaps
Week 11: Bills 44, Bucs 32 — Played five special-teams snaps (16%)
Week 12 — 8:20 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, NBC
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 — 7 games, 3 starts, 16 tackles, 6 assists, 1 forced fumble, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 11: Steelers 34, Bengals 12 — not active
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Chicago, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 11 games, 7 starts, 30 catches, 387 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 4 yards
Week 11: Patriots 27, Jets 14 — Started; 4 catches on 5 targets, 64 yards (20 longest); 57 offensive snaps (85%)
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, 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); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 11: Eagles 16, Lions 9 — Not active for the game
Week 12 — 4:25 Sunday at Dallas, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 14 tackles, 8 assists, 3 passes defended
Week 11: Panthers 30, Falcons 27, OT — Not active
Week 12 — 4:25 Sunday at New Orleans, 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
Season statistics — 10 games, 10 starts, 205 of 286, 2,555 yards (72 longest), 71.7%, 19 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 35 sacks (153 yards in losses), 113.9 rating; 66 carries, 283 yards (28 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 11: Patriots 27, Jets 14 — Started; 25 of 34, 281 yards (26 longest), 1 touchdown, 0 interception; 1 sack, 10-yard loss; 107.6 passer rating; 4 carries, 2 yards; 67 offensive snaps (100%); 15.44 fantasy points
TD pass: 6-yard pass to TreVeyon Henderson, 7:46, third period
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, 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
Season statistics — 10 games, 175 offensive snaps, 33 special-teams snaps
Week 10: Saints 17, Panthers 7 — Started at right tackle; 68 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%)
Week 11 — Open date
Week 12 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Atlanta, Fox
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 28 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-team middle linebacker
Season statistics — 10 games, 1 tackle, 4 special-teams tackles, 7 special-teams assists
Week 11: Rams 21, Seahawks 19 — Played 17 special-teams snaps
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
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 — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 11: Bills 44, Bucs 32 — Didn’t play
Week 12 — 8:15 Thursday at Houston, Prime Video
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 5 games, 1 start, 3 catches, 60 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 special-teams assist
Week 11: Ravens 23, Browns 16 — Played 9 offensive snaps (15%) and 14 special-teams snaps (45%)
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
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 — 10 games, 10 starts, 161 carries, 809 yards (5.0 average; 66 longest), 8 touchdowns; 26 catches, 93 yards (3.6 average; 11 longest), 1 touchdown
Week 11: Cowboys 33, Raiders 16 — Started; 22 carries, 93 yards (16 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 0 yards; 9.3 fantasy points; 52 offensive snaps (78%)
Week 12 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Out for season
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
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, ankle injury
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
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
On reserve/non-football injury list
Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
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 @dallascowboys
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