By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell threw a long touchdown pass for the Dallas Cowboys to highlight the performances of former UNC players on the first weekend of NFL preseason games.
Howell started for the Cowboys in their 17–7 win over Seattle and made his case to be the backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott.
“It’s fun,” Howell said. “Any time you get to go out there and play football, it’s fun.”
In the Cowboys’ first depth chart released last week, the No. 2 quarterback is listed as Howell or Joe Milton.
“It’s been a very highly competitive contest,” Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer said last week of the battle for the backup spot. “I think Joe’s talent and ability to throw the football and athleticism jumps off the practice field when you see it. I think Sam’s doing a great job of moving the team.”
Howell did move the ball well on Saturday.
“Moved the ball all right,” Howell said. “Obviously there are some plays that I would like to have back. It was good to get out there and play with the guys, and we had a lot of fun out there. I’m sure there are things we can clean up, but like I said, it was just good to get out there and play football.”
He did that well on a two-minute drill at the end of the first half, scrambling for 10 yards to convert on a third-and-seven. He then completed back-to-back passes to tight end Michael Trigg before lofting a pass to wide receiver Cameron Brown for a 39-yard touchdown pass with 38 seconds left.
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“We kind of ran another bubble-move play,” Howell said. “Me and Cam have built a good connection throughout training camp. I know in those one-on-one situations I’m going to give him a chance every time. He made a great play. I was thankful he made the play for me. Any time I have the opportunity to throw the ball to him one-on-one, especially down the field, I’m going to do it. He’s a great player. He works so hard. Great kid. The sky is the limit for him.”
Howell completed 8 of 12 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown and posted a 118.1 passer rating while adding two carries for 15 yards.
“We put that one 16-, 17-play drive together,” Howell said. “It shows you how well we were able to execute. We did a lot of good things. A lot of guys made a lot of good plays, so something to build on for sure.”
He played 26 offensive snaps, or 39% of Dallas’s total. Howell appeared in two games with Seattle in 2024 but didn’t play a regular-season down in 2025 with Philadelphia.
“I feel good. I just try to take it one day at a time,” Howell said. “That’s kind of my mindset. Just keep trying to grow in the offense and grow in the system. I feel like I’m getting more comfortable each and every day. So just try to make the most of each and every day and try to learn from my mistakes and not make the same mistake twice. I think that’s the biggest thing. I feel like I’m in a good place, but I know there is a lot of room to improve and I’m excited to get back to work.”
Milton was 12 of 15 for 107 yards and one touchdown with a quarterback rating of 118.6, taking 40 snaps (61%).
“It’s hard to speak on quarterbacks when you don’t watch the film, but I thought both guys functioned outstanding,” Shottenheimer said. “They both were tasked with going out there and playing against heavy pressure. A [Seattle coach] Mike Macdonald defense is going to be a heavy pressure team. They brought a bunch of things against us that we weren’t prepared for, but we didn’t handle very well, so they were taking some shots. But they just hung in there and made the throws when they had to make them. They were both very efficient.”
Strong outings up front
A few offensive and defensive linemen got chances to improve their roster situations.
Rookie Austin Blaske started at center for the Rams and played every offensive snap in their 20–12 win over Kansas City, a full workload in his first professional game action.
Second-year lineman Willie Lampkin, who was on injured reserve during his rookie season, started for the Eagles against Baltimore, playing both center and guard for 23 snaps (52%) before Philadelphia fell 24–7.
Asim Richards started at left tackle for the Saints in their 24–20 loss to Jacksonville, playing 45 offensive snaps (68%), though he was flagged for a false start.
Joshua Ezeudu, listed as third-string tackle, came off the bench for the Giants and logged 27 offensive snaps (50%) in Minnesota’s 13–10 win.
Charlie Heck, listed as second-string right tackle, came off the bench for Miami in its 20–7 loss to Washington, playing 27 offensive snaps (49%).
Standouts on defense
On defense, Alijah Huzzie was a bright spot for Houston in a 27–13 loss to the Raiders, recording two tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass defended across 30 defensive snaps (45%).
Linebacker Chazz Surratt made an impact off the bench for Seattle, finishing with two tackles, four assists and a forced fumble in 40 defensive snaps (61%) during the loss to Dallas.
Cedric Gray started at weakside linebacker for Tennessee’s 19–13 win over San Francisco, contributing two tackles and an assist in 26 defensive snaps (34%).
Mike Hughes started at left cornerback for Atlanta in a 27–7 loss to Denver, recording a tackle and two assists in limited action (14 defensive snaps, 19%).
Top receivers
Tez Walker started at wide receiver for Baltimore’s 24–7 win over Philadelphia, catching all three targets thrown his way for 31 yards and adding a special-teams tackle on kickoff coverage.
Mack Hollins started for New England in a 13–13 tie with Indianapolis, catching two of four targets for 24 yards.
Bryson Nesbit caught two of four targets for 13 yards for the Vikings.
In other preseason action:
— Mitch Trubisky went 2 of 3 for 23 yards in relief of Cam Ward for Tennessee.
— Dyami Brown had one catch on two targets for 22 yards and registered a tackle after an interception on a pass intended for him
— Ty Chandler carried six times for 24 yards and added an 86-yard kickoff return for New Orleans.
— Marcus Allen played 11 offensive snaps (20%) for Minnesota with an assist.
— Amari Gainer recorded a tackle across 21 defensive snaps (32%) for New England.
— Kaimon Rucker had an assist in 16 defensive snaps (36%) for Baltimore.
— Jahvaree Ritzie logged two assists for Minnesota.
— Michael Carter carried twice for 10 yards and caught a pass for 13 yards for Tennessee.
— Smith Vilbert played one defensive snap off the bench for Minnesota.
Who didn’t play?
Several notable Tar Heels sat out their team’s preseason opener entirely, including Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, Rams linebacker Tomon Fox, Texans safety M.J. Stewart and Texans fullback British Brooks. Stewart is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a quadriceps injury, and Brooks is recovering from hand surgery.
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
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
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
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, 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 — 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
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh, 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 — 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
Week 5 — Open date
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
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, 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
Week 5 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Denver, 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 vs. Indianapolis, CBS
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
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Las Vegas, 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
Week 5 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Tampa Bay, Prime Video
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
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday vs. Baltimore, NBC
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
Week 5 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville in London, NFL Network
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
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Las Vegas, 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 3 — Raiders 35, Saints 27 | started; 74 offensive snaps (100%); 64.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday vs. Atlanta, ESPN
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Minnesota, Fox
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
Week 5 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
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
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, 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
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday at Atlanta, NBC
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
Week 5 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Tampa Bay, Prime Video
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
