By R.L. Bynum
Every team with a Tar Heel in NFL training camps plays its preseason opener this weekend, with stars such as Drake Maye or Javonte Williams (top photo) unlikely to play. In contrast, others will take snaps attempting to solidify their positions.
Among the former UNC players who won’t be playing is Houston fullback British Brooks, who had surgery Aug. 5 to repair a broken hand suffered in practice, and is expected to be out a few more weeks.
You can watch former UNC players on NFL Network on Thursday and Saturday.
Thursday is the busiest night:
— The New England Patriots, with second-string right wide receiver Mack Hollins, fourth-string linebacker Amari Gainer and Maye, are hosting the Indianapolis Colts and wide receiver Josh Downs at 7:30. “I would’t anticipate seeing Drake out there Thursday, but that’s all subject to change,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday. Downs, who turned 25 Wednesday, has battled a groin injury and missed Saturday practice but returned Tuesday.
— Running back Omarion Hampton and the Los Angeles Chargers play at 8 p.m. in Houston, with the Texans featuring cornerback Alijah Huzzie and free safety M.J. Stewart. Huzzie snagged an interception at an early practice. Stewart is still on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
— Second-string right inside linebacker Cole Holcomb and the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Green Bay Packers at 7 p.m. on NFL Network.
— Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky is likely to take a good number of snaps when Tennessee visits San Francisco at 9 p.m. in a game that will be joined in progress on NFL Network. The Titans also feature starting linebacker Cedric Gray and fifth-string running back Michael Carter.
There are two Friday exhibitions involving Tar Heels, both 7 p.m. kickoffs:
—Second-string right tackle Charlie Heck and the Miami Dolphins visit Washington, with third-string wide receiver Dyami Brown back with the Commanders. Heck reportedly got beaten twice by pass rusher Chop Robinson at an early practice.
—Starting left cornerback Mike Hughes is likely to get limited snaps as the Atlanta Falcons host the Denver Broncos.
Most of the Tar Heels play Saturday:
—Third-string left tackle Joshua Ezeudu and the New York Giants host Minnesota at 1 p.m., with the Vikings featuring third-string right cornerback Marcus Allen, fifth-string tight end Bryson Nesbit, fourth-string defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie and fourth-string defensive end Smith Vilbert.
—Third-string right outside linebacker Kaimon Rucker, first-string wide receiver Tez Walker and the Baltimore Ravens host the third-string center Willie Lampkin and the Philadelphia Eagles at 1 p.m.
—Third-string center Austin Blaske, third-string outside linebacker Tomon Fox and the Los Angeles Rams play at Kansas City on NFL Network at 4 p.m.
—Also at 4 p.m., second-string left tackle Asim Richards, fifth-string running back Ty Chandler and the New Orleans Saints host the Jacksonville Jaguars.
—Linebacker Chazz Surratt, listed as a third-string weakside linebacker, will likely get a fair number of plays for reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle when the Seahawks host Dallas on NFL Network at 8 p.m. While Williams isn’t likely to play for the Cowboys, expect third-string quarterback Sam Howell to play.
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When Tar Heels play this weekend
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics —2 games, no statistics; 47.2 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Colts 19, Texans 17 | didn’t start: no statistics; 12 special-teams snaps (50%); 59.2 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
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 — 3 games, 4 catches, 21 yards (18 longest); 41.5 offensive grade
Week 3 — Commanders 33, Seahawks 31 | didn’t start: 0 catches on 1 target; 21 offensive snaps (30%), 5 special-teams snaps (15%); 41.5 offensive grade
Week 4 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis in London, NFL Network
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 — 3 games, 14 catches, 186 yards (25 longest), 13.3 average; 85.0 offensive grade
Week 3 — Colts 19, Texans 17 | started: 5 catches on 11 targets, 77 yards (24 longest); 48 offensive snaps (68%)12.7 fantasy points; 82.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Washington in London, NFL Network
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 — 4 offensive snaps and 2 special-teams snaps; 60.0 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Chiefs 24, Dolphins 10 | didn’t start; 1 offensive snap (2%)
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday at Las Vegas, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 2 games, 6 tackles (5 solo), 5 assists; 65.0 defensive grade; 63.8 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Giants 12, Titans 7 | started: 2 tackles, 4 assists; 1 special-teams tackle; 5.0 fantasy points; 30 defensive snaps (47%), 14 special-teams snaps (61%); 71.4 defensive grade; 67.0 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
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 — 3 games, 50 carries, 193 yards, 3.9 average, 2 touchdowns; 2 catches, 21 yards, 10.5 average; 2 fumbles (both lost); 59.8 offensive grade
Week 3 — Bills 24, Chargers 16 | started: 15 carries, 56 yards (10 longest); 0 catches on 1 target; 29 offensive snaps (42%)5.6 fantasy points; 52.8 offensive grade
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday at Seattle, 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 — 3 games, 2 tackles (both solo), 1 assist; 65.0 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Steelers 30, Bengals 27 | 1 tackle; 4 defensive snaps (6%), 15 special-teams snaps (54%); 67.7 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 8:15 Thursday at Cleveland, Prime Video
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 12 catches, 156 yards (21 longest), 13.0 average; 78.3 offensive grade
Week 3 — Jaguars 35, Patriots 6 | started: 6 catches on 9 targets, 87 yards (21 longest), 14.5 average; 48 offensive snaps (70%), 7 special-teams snaps (30%); 14.7 fantasy points; 84.4 offensive grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth 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 rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 3 — Ravens 34, Cowboys 31 | didn’t play
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 3 games, 11 tackles, 4 assists, 2 passes defended; 47.2 defensive grade
Week 3 — Falcons 35, Packers 14 | started: 6 tackles, 1 assist; 56 defensive snaps (85%); 56 defensive snaps (85%); 43.2 defensive grade; 6.5 fantasy points
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday at New Orleans, ESPN
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 — 3 games, 14 special-teams snaps; 56.6 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Bears 27, Eagles 7 | 6 special-teams snaps; 57.9 special teams garde
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 3 games, 51 of 80, 585 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 interceptions, 9 sacks (38 yards in losses); 15 carries, 82 yards; 2 fumbles (1 lost); 41.2 offensive grade, 36.6 passing grade
Week 3 — Jaguars 35, Patriots 6 | started: 14 of 25, 199 yards (38 longest), 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 3 sacks (11 yards in losses), 48.6 passer rating; 4 carries, 18 yards (9 longest); 2 fumbles (1 lost); 51 offensive snaps (81%); 6.76 fantasy points; 29.5 offensive grade, 28.1passing grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, 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
Season statistics — 102 offensive snaps, 9 special-teams snaps; 58.9 offensive grade
Week 1 — Lions 31, Saints 30 | didn’t start: played 5 special-teams snaps (15%); 60.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 2 — Saints 24, Ravens 17 | didn’t start: played 28 offensive snaps (41%), 4 special-teams snaps (17%); 54.9 PFF offensive grade; 60.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 3 — Raiders 35, Saints 27 | started; 74 offensive snaps (100%); 64.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday vs. Atlanta, ESPN
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 52.6 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Commanders 33, Seahawks 31 | didn’t start; 23 special-teams snaps (68%); 64.0 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
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 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 3 — Giants 12, Titans 7 | Didn’t play
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 catch, 47 yards; 67.0 offensive grade
Week 3 — Ravens 34, Cowboys 31 | didn’t start: 0 catches on 1 target; 17 snaps (27%), 14 special-teams snaps (47%); 60.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 3 games, 43 carries, 169 yards (3.9 average), 2 touchdowns; 10 catches, 56 yards (17 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 72.3 offensive grade
Week 3 — Ravens 34, Cowboys 31 | started: 19 carries, 98 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 4:32 left in the first quarter); 2 catches on 3 targets, 5 yards (3 longest); 1 fumble (recovered); 18.3 fantasy points; 56 snaps (76%); 52.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, 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
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On PUP list
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart (torn quad), who didn’t play during the preseason; estimated return Oct. 11
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— Tennessee running back Michael Carter by Tennessee; had three catches for 20 yards and a 43-yard kickoff return in the last preseason game
— Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
— 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
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in two preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and two assists in three preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami Dolphins
— 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 @dallascowboys
