By R.L. Bynum
Week 2 of the NFL preseason brought mixed results for former UNC players scattered across the league. Performances ranged from breakout showings to nagging injuries ahead of rosters getting cut to 53 by Sunday.
The results carried extra weight for players fighting for depth roles, from Ty Chandler’s workhorse showing on special teams in New Orleans to Alijah Huzzie’s active night for Houston.
Players such as four in Minnesota — cornerback Marcus Allen, tight end Bryson Nesbit, defensive end Smith Vilbert and defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie — continued their quieter fights for roster spots in the Vikings’ 13–3 loss to Baltimore.
That game brought together five former Tar Heels.
Allen, the Vikings’ third-string right cornerback trying to hang on to a roster spot as a rookie, didn’t start but recorded two tackles while playing 24 defensive snaps (41%) and five special-teams snaps (25%). Nesbit, the fifth-string tight end after spending his rookie year on the practice squad, caught one pass on two targets for 16 yards and logged a heavy special-teams workload of 12 snaps (60%).
Ritzie, a third-string defensive tackle who spent last season on New England’s practice squad, didn’t start but posted one tackle across 27 defensive snaps. Vilbert, the rookie defensive end still finding his footing, played 18 defensive snaps (31%) and four special-teams snaps (20%) without registering a statistic.
On the other side, Baltimore’s Tez Walker started at right wide receiver and turned in his best game of the preseason, catching two of three targets for 32 yards, including a 27-yard reception, while playing 32 offensive snaps (55%).
That performance builds on a summer in which Walker has talked about carving out a bigger role regardless of what the Ravens do at the position.
“It’s just building off that momentum and showing everyone I can go up against those guys as well, facing those No. 1 corners,” Walker said.
Kaimon Rucker, the Ravens’ third-string right outside linebacker, added a tackle and a quarterback hit over 31 defensive snaps (48%).
In Nashville on national TV Sunday night, the Titans’ win over Seattle featured a strong showing from Tennessee’s UNC contingent, though the game wasn’t without its warts for the defense.
Cedric Gray, the Titans’ incumbent starting weakside linebacker, started and finished with three tackles, two assists and a pass defended over 25 defensive snaps (49%) and five special-teams snaps (19%).
He also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after appearing to gesture toward an opponent, a call head coach Robert Saleh said afterward he planned to dispute.
“I got to get that one from the league,” Saleh said. “I don’t understand that one.”
Asked more broadly about the sloppiness in his defense’s showing with roster cuts approaching, Saleh downplayed any concern. “Not concerning at all,” he said. “It’s preseason. That’s the reason we play these types of games. We learn from it. Fix it.”
Michael Carter, fighting for reps as the Titans’ fifth-string running back, carried seven times for 28 yards (11 longest) and added a 22-yard kickoff return across 22 offensive snaps (28%).
Mitch Trubisky, running as Tennessee’s second-string quarterback behind Cam Ward, completed 7 of 9 passes for 49 yards and an 89.4 passer rating over 16 offensive snaps (21%).
Seattle countered with Chazz Surratt, the Seahawks’ third-string weakside linebacker, who started and delivered his best game of the preseason: four tackles, an assist and a forced fumble in 35 defensive snaps (45%).
Two other former Tar Heels shared the field when the Los Angeles Rams routed the New Orleans Saints 34–0.
Austin Blaske, the Rams’ third-string center as a rookie, started and played every offensive snap for the second straight week (79 of 79), though he was flagged for offensive holding.
Tomon Fox, a third-string right outside linebacker who spent last season with the Giants, didn’t start but made a tackle in 28 defensive snaps (42%) and added a special-teams snap.
On New Orleans’ side, Asim Richards started at second-string left tackle and played 26 offensive snaps (39%). The Saints’ Chandler, working as the fifth-string running back and third-string kick returner, carried six times for 21 yards (7 longest), caught a pass for 10 yards, and returned a kickoff 26 yards across 19 offensive snaps (28%) and 11 special-teams snaps (55%).
In New England’s 24–21 win over Philadelphia, quarterback Drake Maye didn’t play.
That’s been the pattern all preseason, with Coach Mike Vrabel keeping his franchise passer away from live contact. Maye has said he’s simply deferring to the coaching staff’s plan for him.
“Whatever they think with the preseason, I’m here to play and ready to go out,” Maye said, “and whatever they think, I’m here for them and here for this team.”
Amari Gainer, working as the Patriots’ fourth-string left inside linebacker, had arguably the standout defensive performance of the weekend among former Tar Heels, recording three tackles, two tackles for losses and a sack that closed out the first half over just 15 defensive snaps (24%). He entered the weekend as the fourth-string outside linebacker along with former Penn State star Jesse Luketa.
Mack Hollins, the second-string right wide receiver, didn’t start and was limited to a single special-teams snap.
On the Eagles’ side, Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia’s third-string center, played 18 offensive snaps (29%) plus three on special teams.
The New York Giants beat Miami 26–3, with Joshua Ezeudu, the Giants’ third-string left tackle, playing 47 offensive snaps (58%) before being kicked in the back of the leg on a late third-quarter play and forced out, a scary moment for a player who already missed all of 2025 with a severe calf injury.
Coach John Harbaugh downplayed the severity afterward. “Josh will be OK,” Harbaugh said. “He got kicked in the back of the leg there. Not going to be any kind of a long-term injury.”
Harbaugh said he hoped Ezeudu would play in the preseason finale.
Charlie Heck, Miami’s second-string left tackle, started and played the bulk of the game, 30 offensive snaps (83%), though he was flagged for both an offensive holding penalty and a false start.
In Dallas’ 34–13 win over Arizona, Sam Howell started the second half at quarterback and finished 7 of 10 for 65 yards with an interception and a sack, a rougher outing that dropped his passer rating to 47.9 over 28 offensive snaps (47%), numbers that won’t help his push to be the No. 2 option ahead of Joe Milton.
Javonte Williams, the Cowboys’ starting running back, didn’t play, standard treatment for a locked-in starter this deep into camp.
Pittsburgh fell to the Jets 17–0, with Cole Holcomb, the Steelers’ second-string right inside linebacker, contributing a tackle and an assist over 17 defensive snaps (29%) and eight special-teams snaps (36%), a workload that suggests he’s carved out a real special-teams role even if his defensive reps stay limited.
Houston’s 22–20 loss to Las Vegas left British Brooks, the Texans’ first-string fullback, on the sideline for a second straight week as he continues recovering from hand surgery.
M.J. Stewart, the Texans’ third-string free safety, also sat out; he remains on the physically unable to perform list with a quadriceps injury, which puts his availability for the 53-man roster in question.
Huzzie, Houston’s second-string nickelback, was the bright spot, posting two tackles, two assists and an 8-yard punt return across 36 defensive snaps (52%) and 10 special-teams snaps (32%).
The Washington Commanders fell to Detroit 17–13, with Dyami Brown, the third-string right wide receiver trying to lock down a role, catching one pass for 3 yards on 11 offensive snaps (23%).
In Atlanta’s 34–6 win over Indianapolis, Colts wide receiver and Falcons left cornerback, both listed as starters, didn’t play.
In San Francisco’s 41–17 rout of the Los Angeles Chargers, Omarion Hampton, the Chargers’ starting running back, played just three offensive snaps before exiting with the rest of the first-team offense, carrying once for a loss of a yard.
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 — 4 games, 2 starts, 7 catches, 86 yards (48 longest); 53.5 offensive rating, 57.1 pass game rating, 34.4 run-blocking rating
Week 4 — Colts 30, Commanders 13 (in London) | started: 3 catches on 4 targets, 65 yards (48 longest); 3 kickoff returns, 82 yards (37 longest); 2 assists on kickoff coverage; 36 offensive snaps (56%), 11 special-teams snaps (39%); 10.5 fantasy points; season-high 75.6 offensive rating (previous weeks was 47.6, 46.9 and 46.9), season-high 80.0 pass-game rating, season-low 29.4 run-blocking rating
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Week 6 — 8:15 Monday at San Francisco, ESPN
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 — 4 games, 2 starts, 17 catches, 202 yards (25 longest); 77.4 offensive rating, 78.1 pass game rating, 58.7 run-blocking rating
Week 4 — Colts 30, Commanders 13 (in London) | started: 3 catches on 4 targets, 16 yards (9 longest); 4.6 fantasy points; 51 offensive snaps (77%); season-low 52.4 offensive rating, season-low 52.4 pass game rating, 59.6 run-block rating (second-lowest this season)
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh, CBS
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, Fox
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 6 special-teams snaps
Week 4 — Chiefs 30, Raiders 27 | Played 4 special-teams snaps
Week 5 — Open date
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 2 starts, 9 tackles, 7 assists; 68.8 defensive grade, 77.6 run-defense grade, 54.0 pass-rush grade, 57.9 pass-coverage grade
Week 4 — Ravens 24, Titans 18 | started: 2 tackles (1 for a loss), 2 assists, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 30 defensive snaps (47%), 23 special-teams snaps (88%); season-high 71.2 defensive rating, 72.8 run-defense rating, 75.6 tackling grade, 54.0 pass-rushing grade, 62.3 pass-coverage grade
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
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 — 4 games, 3 starts, 59 carries, 238 yards, 4.3 average, 3 touchdowns; 4 catches, 29 yards, 7.2 average; 2 fumbles (2 lost); 64.1 offensive grade, 58.5 pass game grade, 74.2 pass-block grade, 75.8 run grade
Week 4 — Seahawks 30, Chargers 23 | didn’t start: 9 carries, 45 yards (15 longest), 5.0 average, 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 7:48 left in fourth quarter); 2 catches on 2 targets, 8 yards (5 longest); 25 offensive snaps (35%); 13.8 fantasy points; season-high 73.1 offensive grade, 60.1 pass game grade, season-low 25.2 pass-block grade, season-high 75.8 run grade
Week 5 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Denver, CBS
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday at Kansas City, 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 — 4 games, 3 tackles (both solo), 2 assists; 55.5 defensive grade; 63.4 special-teams grade
Week 4 — Browns 27, Steelers 24 (Thursday) | didn’t start; 1 assist, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 5 defensive snaps (8%), 18 special-teams snaps (18%); 46.0 defensive grade; 68.0 special-teams grade
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, 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 — 4 games, 3 starts, 15 catches, 209 yards (26 longest), 13.9 average; 81.2 offensive grade, 80.1 pass game grade, 61.6 pass-blocking grade, 71.4 run-blocking grade
Week 4 — Patriots 29, Bills 26 | started: 3 catches on 4 targets, 53 yards (26 longest); left the game with a calf injury with 10:13 left in the third quarter; 31 offensive snaps (41%); 8.3 fantasy points; 77.6 offensive grade, 74.8 pass-game grade, 71.4 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Las Vegas, CBS | missed game with calf injury
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, 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 5 — Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16 (Thursday at home) | didn’t play
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, NBC
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; 51.5 defensive grade
Week 4 — Falcons 45, Saints 24 (Monday) | 3 tackles (1 for a loss), 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 48 defensive snaps (65%); season-high 72.4 defensive grade, season-high 78.8 run-defense grade, 76.8 tackle grade; season-high 68.8 coverage grade
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday vs. Baltimore, NBC
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
2005 statistics (Houston) — 2 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception, 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Week 5 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia in London, NFL Network
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, 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 — 4 games, 2 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps; 55.7 special-teams grade
Week 4 — Rams 24, Eagles 20 | 2 offensive snaps (3%), 5 special-teams snaps (17%); 57.9 special-teams grade
Week 5 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville in London, NFL Network
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, CBS
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 73 of 117, 854 yards, 4 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 10 sacks (45 yards in losses), 71.0 passer rating; 23 carries, 136 yards, 5.9 average; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 55.5 offensive rating, 49.9 passer rating, 77.0 run rating
Week 4 — Patriots 29, Bills 26 | started: 22 of 37, 269 yards, 1 sack (7-yard loss), 3 touchdowns (14-yard pass to Romeo Doubs with 7:01 left in the first quarter, 2-yard pass to Doubs with 8:15 left in the third quarter, 23-yard pass to Efton Chism III with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter), 2-point conversion completion to Rhamondre Stevenson after third TD pass, 1 interception, 97.7 passer rating; 8 carries, 24 yards (26 longest); 3 fumbles (1 lost; 2 recovered); 76 offensive snaps (100%); 27.16 fantasy points; season-high 82.9 offensive rating, season-high 78.0 passer rating, season-high 75.6 run rating
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Las Vegas, CBS
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, 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 — 176 offensive snaps, 14 special-teams snaps; 45.7 offensive grade, 44.5 pass-blocking grade, 47.6 run-blocking grade
Week 4 — Falcons 45, Saints 24 (Monday) | started: 74 offensive snaps (100%), 5 special-teams snaps (16); called for false start in fourth quarter; season-low 42.0 offensive grade, season-low 41.5 pass-blocking grade, 48.0 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Minnesota, Fox
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, 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 4 — Seahawks 30, Chargers 23 | Inactive with calf injury
Week 5 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox | missed game with a calf injury
Week 6 — 8:15 Thursday at Denver, Prime Video
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 4 — Ravens 24, Titans 18 | didn’t play
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 0 starts, 2 catches, 66 yards (47 longest); 56.5 offensive grade, 57.9 pass game grade, 64.3 run-blocking grade
Week 4 — Ravens 24, Titans 18 | didn’t start: 1 catch on 2 targets, 19 yards; 44 offensive snaps (69%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%); season-low 47.4 offensive grade, season-low 52.7 pass game grade, season-low 45.1 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday at Atlanta, NBC
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 74 carries, 276 yards (3.7 average), 6 touchdowns; 17 catches, 94 yards (17 longest), 5.5 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 69.5 offensive rating, 84.0 pass game rating, 60.1 pass-block rating, 63.2 run rating
Week 5 — Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16 (Thursday at home) | started: 12 carries, 45 yards (21 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard run, 10:51 left in the first quarter); 2 catches on 3 targets, 17 yards (9 longest); 51 offensive snaps (85%); 14.2 fantasy points; 63.8 offensive grade, 67.8 pass-game grade, 52.8 pass-block grade, 63.2 run-game grade
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, NBC
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
— Houston running back British Brooks (hamstring injury)
— 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
— 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 baltimoreravens.com
1 Comment