By R.L. Bynum
After a weekend when starters Drake Maye, Omarion Hampton, Josh Downs and Javonte Williams all sat out the final preseason games and Sam Howell had his best preseason showing, there was plenty of other roster activity, much of it not good for former UNC players.
Howell, who was competing with Joe Milton to be Dallas’ backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott, connected on 12 of 17 for 155 yards and two touchdowns run and a 130.6 passer rating in the Cowboys’ 26–24 loss Friday to New Orleans.
Howell played all of the second half after Milton went 8 of 15 for 92 yards, no touchdowns and a 72.1 passer rating in the first half. On Monday, Dallas named Howell its backup quarterback and waived Milton, who join its practice squad.
According to ESPN, Howell signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal and Dallas would have still had to pay his $2 million base salary had it released the former UNC star.
Howell threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Hudson and a 21-yard scoring strike to Mitchell Van Vooren. Howell tied the game with a two-point conversion run midway through the fourth quarter.
Howell also had a 52-yard completion to Hudson.
The New York Giants traded Joshua Ezeudu to Kansas City on Wednesday for a seventh-round pick, a landing spot he’ll try to make count after tearing his calf in training camp last year and missing the entire 2025 season. He didn’t play in the Chiefs’ preseason finale.
New Orleans put running back Ty Chandler on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in the Saints’ second preseason game. He had rushed for 45 yards across two preseason appearances before the injury.
Rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon never got the chance to compete for a roster spot with the Giants. He tore his Achilles tendon during a team workout in the spring, ending his rookie season before it began.
Houston safety M.J. Stewart remains on the physically unable to perform list with a torn quad and did not play during the preseason.
Teams waived eight former UNC players on Sunday as they trimmed rosters to 53 players. All could be added to their teams’ practice squads if they clear waivers, and some already have.
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Tight end Bryson Nesbit was waived with an injury designation by Minnesota after catching three passes for 29 yards across two preseason games. He had been working as the fifth-string tight end on the Vikings’ depth chart.
The seven other Tar Heels waived:
— Baltimore’s roster crunch at outside linebacker claimed Kaimon Rucker, who put together arguably one of the best preseason performances of the weekend by any former Tar Heel, totaling five tackles, an assist, a sack for a loss of six yards, two tackles for losses and a quarterback hit in Friday’s 41–3 win over Washington.
The Ravens were flush with pass rushers after trading for Trey Hendrickson and drafting Mike Green and Zion Young. Rucker was among the roster’s toughest cuts. Rucker signed to the Ravens’ practice squad on Monday.
— After playing every offensive snap of all three preseason games for the Los Angeles Rams, center Austin Blaske was waived. He had a 75.8 Pro Football Focus grade that briefly had him in the mix for a 53-man spot. Blaske signed with the Rams’ practice squad on Monday
— The Rams also waived linebacker Tomon Fox after he had 28 tackles and 13 special teams tackles across two preseason games.
— Running back Michael Carter was waived by Tennessee after catching three passes for 20 yards and adding a 43-yard kickoff return in the preseason finale, but has signed to the Titans’ practice squad on Monday. He combined for 38 rushing yards in the first two preseason games.
— New England waived linebacker Amari Gainer after he had four tackles and two assists in 63 defensive snaps over three preseason games.
— Minnesota released defensive end Smith Vilbert, who had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps.
— The Vikings also released defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie, but he resigned to their practice squad on Tuesday.
In addition to Maye with New England, Hampton with the Los Angeles Chargers, Downs with Indianapolis and Williams with Dallas, all with starting spots secured, also not playing in the final preseason games were Washington’s Dyami Brown (second-string wide receiver), Houston’s British Brooks (recovering from hand injury), New England’s wide receiver Mack Hollins (second-string wide receiver), Philadelphia’s Willie Lampkin (second-string right guard), Seattle’s Chazz Surratt (third-string weakside linebacker) and Tennessee’s Mitch Trubisky (backup quarterback).
Here’s a rundown of other players who played in the final preseason games:
— Marcus Allen, a third-string cornerback for Minnesota, had an assist in 15 total snaps off the bench, but has been placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
— Charlie Heck, set to open the season as Miami’s second-string left tackle, came off the bench for 19 offensive snaps (33%) and four special teams snaps (15%).
— Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh’s backup inside linebacker, started and had three tackles, two assists and a tackle for a loss over 41 defensive snaps (61%).
— Michael Hughes, Atlanta’s starting left cornerback, defended one pass in 14 defensive snaps (24%).
— Alijah Huzzie, Houston’s backup nickelback, had two tackles, one on kickoff coverage, and a fair catch of a punt in 47 total snaps.
— Asim Richards, New Orleans’ second-string left tackle, played 32 offensive snaps (54%) and five special-teams snaps.
— Jahvaree Ritzie, a fourth-string defensive tackle for Minnesota, recorded three tackles and an assist.
— Rookie Smith Vilbert, a third-string defensive end for Minnesota, had one tackle in 35 total snaps.
— Tez Walker, a second-string wide receiver for Baltimore, had three catches for 22 yards in 41 snaps.
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 — 5 games, 2 starts, 8 catches, 88 yards (48 longest); 47.5 offensive rating, 50.3 pass game rating, 37.1 run-blocking rating
Week 5 — Commanders 27, Giants 27, OT (home) | didn’t start: 1 catch on 2 targets, 2 yards, 1 fumble (recovered); 1.2 fantasy points; 23 offensive snaps (37%), 37.2 offensive grade, 37.5 pass-game grade, 62.8 run-block grade
Week 6 — 8:15 Monday at San Francisco, ESPN
Week 7 — Open date
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics — Elevated from practice squad for Week 4, but didn’t didn’t play
Week 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | inactive for the game
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
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 — 5 games, 3 starts, 20 catches, 249 yards (42 longest); 75.4 offensive grade, 75.3 pass-game grade, 65.9 run-block grade
Week 5 — Steelers 34, Colts 22 (road) | started: 3 catches on 6 targets, 47 yards (42 longest); 1.2 fantasy points; 60 offensive snaps (100%); 63.9 offensive grade, 61.8 pass game grade; season-high 79.4 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota, 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 6 special-teams snaps
Week 5 — Open date
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Week 7 — 8:30 Sunday at Seattle, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 starts, 11 tackles, 11 assists, ½ sack; 71.1 defensive grade, 78.0 run grade, 57.9 pass-rush grade, 61.3 pass coverage grade
Week 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 4 assists, ½ sack; 5.0 fantasy points; 28 defensive snaps (42%), 12 special-teams saps (55%); season-high 75.6 defensive grade, 73.9 run grade, 79.0 tackle grade, season-high 63.4 pass-rush grade, season-high 65.7 pass coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, 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 — 5 games, 4 starts, 73 carries, 271 yards, 3.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 5 catches, 35 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 63.9 offensive grade, 66.1 pass game grade, 76.7 pass-block grade, 61.6 run grade
Week 5 — Broncos 23, Chargers 17 (home) | started: 14 carries, 33 yards (11 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 4.9 fantasy points; 20 offensive snaps (30%); season-high 68.0 offensive grade, season-high 88.9 pass grade, 74.4 pass-block grade, 62.9 run grade
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday at Kansas City, CBS
Week 7 — Open date
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 — 5 games, 4 tackles (all solo), 3 assists; 58.5 defensive grade, 54.9 run grade, 30.9 tackle grade, 56.0 pass-rush grade, 66.0 coverage grade
Week 5 — Steelers 34, Colts 22 (home) | 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 8 defensive snaps (11%), 18 special-teams snaps (60%); 64.0 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, 69.0 pass-rush grade, 61.7 pass coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, CBS
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans in Saint-Denis, France, NFL Network
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
Week 7 — 8:15 Sunday at Philadelphia, ESPN
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; 45.7 defensive grade, 87.4 run grade, 67.5 tackle grade, 39.3 coverage grade
Week 5 — Ravens 30, Falcons 23 (home) | started: 3 tackles, 3 assists; 69 defensive snaps (91%), 2 special-teams snaps (7%); 45.7 defensive grade, season-high 83.9 run grade, 56.7 tackle grade, season-low 33.0 coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Season statistics — Was on Houston Texans’ practice squad before Jags signed him Monday
Week 5 — Jaguars 19, Eagles 17 (in London) | Inactive for game
Week 6 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Houston in London, NFL Network
Week 7 — Open date
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 — 5 games, 1 start; 64 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps; 44.6 offensive grade, 33.3 pass-blocking grade, 49.1 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — Jaguars 19, Eagles 17 (in London) | started at left guard: key block on Will Shipley touchdown run; 62 offensive snaps (100%); 44.6 offensive grade, 33.3 pass-blocking grade, 49.4 run-blocking grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, CBS
Week 7 — 8:15 Sunday vs. Dallas, ESPN
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 99 of 151, 1,228 yards, 8 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 11 sacks (48 yards in losses), 89.0 passer rating; 30 carries, 161 yards, 5.4 average; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 70.0 offensive grade, 66.2 pass grade, 65.4 run grade
Week 5 — Patriots 45, Raiders 17 (home) | started: 26 of 34, 374 yards (49 longest), 4 touchdowns (35-yard TD pass to DeMario Douglas, 11:23 left in first quarter; 11-yard pass to Hunter Henry, 24 seconds left in first half; 34-yard TD pass to Kyle Williams, 12:58 left in third quarter; 8-yard pass to Douglas, 6:06 left in fourth quarter), 1 sack (3-yard loss), 150.9 passer rating; 7 rushes, 25 yards (10 longest), 1 touchdown (3-yard run, 3:10 left, third quarter); 75 offensive snaps (100%); season-high 92.7 offensive grade, season-high 92.2 pass-game grade, 65.4 run grade; 39.46 fantasy points
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Week 7 — 8:15 Thursday at Chicago, Prime Video
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 — 5 games, 190 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 47.8 offensive grade, 46.0 pass-blocking grade, 49.4 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — Vikings 23, Saints 13 | started; 42 offensive snaps (93%), 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 58.8 offensive grade, season-high 57.3 pass-block grade, 57.2 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, Fox
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh in Saint-Denis, France, NFL Network
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 6 — Broncos 17, Seahawks 14 (road) | not active for game (calf injury)
Week 7 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Kansas City, NBC
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 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | didn’t play
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, 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 — 4 games, 1 start, 24 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 58.0 offensive grade, 60.6 pass game grade, 57.6 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — Ravens 30, Falcons 23 (road) | started: 2 catches on 2 targets, 9 yards 7 longest), 1 touchdown (7-yard reception, 40 seconds left in regulation); 45 offensive snaps (59%); 60.7 offensive grade, 60.6 pass-game grade, 57.6 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, 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 — 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
Week 7 — 8:15 Sunday at Philadelphia, ESPN
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)
— New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf injury)
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
— 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 @TheCowboysWire
