By R.L. Bynum
There were ups and downs during Week 1 of the NFL season for former Carolina players, most of whom endured losses, from Drake Maye’s three interceptions on Wednesday to Javonte Williams’ standout performance on Sunday night football.
Maye went 23 of 33 for 178 yards (12.82 fantasy points) in the Patriots’ 13–10 road loss to the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, but his 54.9 passer rating told a rougher story. That was his worst rating when he attempted more than one pass since a 56.3 against the New York Jets on Sept. 19, 2024.
He connected four times for 51 yards to Mack Hollins (9.1 fantasy points), but when he attempted to hook up with him for a fifth time in the end zone, it led to his third interception, which ended New England’s chances of winning. Hollins’ 72.9 PFF offensive grade was the team’s second-highest.
Maye, whose lowest passer rating last season was 80.6 in the season opener against Las Vegas, took the blame afterward, saying, “I lost patience, and it cost us,” and calling the performance unacceptable while vowing to be better as the season goes on.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel did not disagree with that assessment.
“You can’t throw three interceptions. Drake knows that,” Vrabel said, pointing to the turnover margin as the difference in a game New England led by 10 points at halftime before letting it slip away.
Maye’s PFF offensive grade was 55.1, 23rd among all quarterbacks, and his passing grade was 50.7. When kept clean, he was 20 of 25 for 140 yards, one touchdown and an interception. When blitzed, he was 7 of 11 for 54 yards. His best production was on passes of nine yards or fewer (including behind the line of scrimmage): 20 of 22, 134 yards and one touchdown.
In that game, third-string Seattle weakside linebacker Chazz Surratt played exclusively on special teams (17 snaps), recording a tackle and an assist on kickoff coverage.
Surratt was one of only three former UNC players who played in Week 1 and won. The others were reserve Philadelphia left guard Willie Lampkin (Eagles beat Washington 24–22), who played four special-teams snaps and had a 55.4 PFF special-teams grade, and reserve Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb (Steelers beat Atlanta 20–13), who played mostly on special teams.
Williams was the best fantasy player among the Tar Heels with 24.2 points in the Cowboys’ 28–20 road loss to the New York Giants. He ran for 41 yards and one touchdown (a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter) and caught five passes for 31 yards and a score (a 17-yard pass from quarterback Dak Prescott in the fourth quarter).
Williams PFF offensive grade of 78.0 was second on the team and 9th among all running backs, and his pass-blocking PFF grade of 79.4 was second on the team.
Omarion Hampton began his second NFL season with 43 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 26–14 loss to Arizona, in which he lost a fumble and finished with 8.3 fantasy points. He wouldn’t be denied on a first-quarter eight-yard touchdown run.
Hamton had a 57.7 PFF offensive grade and a 72.6 PFF pass-blocking grade.
Indianapolis wide receiver Josh Downs caught two passes on four targets for 37 yards in playing 89% of the Colts’ offensive snaps in their 41–23 loss to Baltimore.
Not every former Tar Heel made it onto the field.
Titans linebacker Cedric Gray was held out of Tennessee’s 23–10 loss to the Jets after entering the NFL’s concussion protocol following a UTV accident over the weekend. The team said in a statement that Gray, who was driving, was not operating the vehicle recklessly and that alcohol was not involved, adding, “We look forward to Cedric returning to the field soon and in full health.”
Gray was coming off a career year in 2025, when he racked up 94 tackles and 65 assists, and his absence opened the door for the Titans to lean more heavily on their linebacker depth in Week 1.
Ravens wide receiver Tez Walker also sat out, missing Baltimore’s 41–23 win over Indianapolis with a groin injury. Walker had scored three touchdowns on just six catches in 2025 and was expected to carve out a bigger role in the Ravens’ offense before the injury sidelined him for the opener.
Several Tar Heels saw limited or no action.
— Houston running back British Brooks played off the bench without recording a statistic in the Texans’ 36–31 loss to Buffalo
— Washington receiver Dyami Brown did not start and finished without a catch on two targets, playing 37 offensive snaps (53%) in the Commanders’ 24–22 loss to Philadelphia.
— Cornerback Michael Hughes played all 67 defensive snaps in Atlanta’s 20–13 loss to Pittsburgh, recording three tackles. In that game, Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb played three defensive snaps (5%) and 17 special-teams snaps (57%) off the bench, with a 64.3 PFF special-teams grade.
— Second-string New Orleans left tackle Asim Richards played five special-teams snaps in the Saints’ 31–30 loss to Detroit, with a 60.3 PFF special-teams grade
— Backup quarterbacks Sam Howell of Dallas and Mitch Trubisky of Tennessee didn’t play. Howell hasn’t made a regular-season appearance since Jan. 7, 2024, for Washington against Dallas.
— In his Kansas City debut, backup left tackle Joshua Ezeudu only played three offensive snaps in the Chiefs’ 31–10 Monday night home win over Denver.
Beyond the players on NFL rosters, several former Tar Heels remain on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler is on season-ending injured reserve after tearing up his knee in the second preseason game, having managed 45 yards on the ground across two exhibition games.
— Minnesota cornerback Marcus Allen (undisclosed) and Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon, who suffered a torn Achilles, are also on injured reserve, while Houston safety M.J. Stewart remains on the PUP list with a torn quad after not playing in the preseason.
Five former Tar Heels are hanging on with practice squad jobs around the league.
Rams center Austin Blaske played every offensive snap in all three of Los Angeles’ preseason games before moving to their practice squad, and Titans running back Michael Carter, Texans cornerback Alijah Huzzie, Vikings defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie and Ravens linebacker Kaimon Rucker round out the group. Rucker was particularly productive in Baltimore’s 41–3 preseason win, piling up five tackles, one assist, a six-yard sack, two tackles for losses and a quarterback hit.
Camp cuts hit five other former UNC players. Seattle waived linebacker Power Echols, the Rams let go of linebacker Tomon Fox after he posted 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles over two preseason games, and New England moved on from linebacker Amari Gainer, who had four tackles and two assists in three preseason contests.
Miami waived offensive lineman Charlie Heck, and Minnesota cut defensive end Smith Vilbert after one tackle in 47 preseason snaps. Minnesota also waived tight end Bryson Nesbit with an injury designation after he caught three passes for 29 yards in two preseason games while working as the team’s fifth-string tight end.
Looking ahead to Week 2, Josh Downs and the Colts travel to face Ezeudu’s Chiefs on Sunday night, Omarion Hampton and the Chargers host the Raiders, and Mike Hughes and the Falcons welcome Carolina to Atlanta. Maye and the Patriots will look to rebound at home against Pittsburgh, while Williams and the Cowboys host Washington.
Gray’s status for Tennessee’s game against Philadelphia remains to be seen as he continues working through the concussion protocol.
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 — 6 games, 2 starts, 9 catches, 94 yards (48 longest); 48.7 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, Fox
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 — 2 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 16 offensive snaps (25%); 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade; 2.4 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
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 — 7 games, 5 starts, 26 catches, 307 yards (42 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 72.2 offensive grade, 71.8 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 59.1 run-block grade
Week 7 — Vikings 16, Colts 10 (road) | started: 2 catches on 4 targets, 18 yards (13 longest); 1 punt return, fair catch; 52 offensive snaps (85%); 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 66.2 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, 59.1 run-block grade; 3.8 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, 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 — 6 games, 1 start, 87 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 57.3 offensive grade, 56.8 pass-blocking grade, 62.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (road) | started at right tackle (first start of season, 11th of his career; usual starter Jaylon Moore sidelined with a concussion); 53 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); season-low 51.7 offensive grade, season-low 51.0 pass-block grade, 51.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 15 tackles, 14 assists, ½ sack; 62.2 defensive grade, 63.7 run grade, 87.6 tackle grade, 52.7 pass-rush grade, 63.4 coverage grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 39 defensive snaps (56%), 17 special-teams snaps (63%); season-low 45.9 defensive grade, season-low 36.9 run defense grade, 77.5 tackle grade, 60.5 coverage grade; 3.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
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 — 6 games, 4 starts, 80 carries, 289 yards, 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 9 catches, 56 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 62.2 offensive grade, 65.2 pass game grade, 80.5 pass-block grade, 60.9 run grade
Week 6 — Chiefs 22, Chargers 6 (road) | started: 7 carries, 18 yards (4 longest); 4 catches on 4 targets, 21 yards (15 longest); 34 offensive snaps (50%); 58.6 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, season-high 80.4 pass-block grade, 53.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 7.9 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Houston, 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 — 7 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 60.7 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 55.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | 1 assist; forced fumble; 2 defensive snaps (4%), 10 special-teams snaps (53%); season-high 75.7 defensive grade, 64.9 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 62.0 special-teams grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fifth 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 grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 11 assists, 4 passes defended; 49.1 defensive grade, 89.8 run grade, 62.0 tackle grade, 39.6 coverage grade
Week 7 — Falcons 29, 49ers 20 (home) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 17 defensive snaps (26%), 3 special-teams snaps (13%); season-high 89.4 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, season-high 80.7 tackle grade, season-high 87.1 coverage grade; 2.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Week 9 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati in Madrid, NFL Network
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Week 6 (season debut) — Texans 34, Jaguars 31 (in London) | 13 special-teams snaps (45%); 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday at Baltimore, Prime Video
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 — 7 games, 2 starts; 128 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps through Week 6
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (home) | didn’t start
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday at Washington, NBC
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 24 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 141 of 214, 1,784 yards (8.3 average), 13 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 13 sacks (59 yards in losses), 96.4 passer grade; 38 carries, 211 yards, 5.6 average, 2 touchdowns; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 79.7 offensive grade, 77.5 pass grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Bears 30, Patriots 24 (road on Thursday) | started: 24 of 31, 321 yards, 2 sacks (11 yards in losses), 2 TDs (48-yard pass to R. Stevenson as first half ended; 30-yard pass to E. Raridon, 3:46, third quarter), 1 interception, 117.8 passer grade; 4 carries, team-high 26 yards (15 longest), 1 TD (7-yard run, 11:33, second quarter); 54 offensive snaps (100%); 74.8 offensive grade, 73.5 passer grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 28.44 fantasy points
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Miami, CBS
Week 9 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Green Bay, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting left tackle
Season statistics — 7 games, 317 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 50.9 offensive grade, 49.0 pass-blocking grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | started: called for false start; 57 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); 55.4 offensive grade, 58.2 pass grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety (activated from PUP list on Oct. 10)
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 pass defended; 49.9 defensive grade, 44.8 run defense grade, 43.9 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade
Week 7 — Giants 27, Texans 21 (home) | started (regular starting safety Reed Blankenship out with a concussion and hand injury): 5 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended; 63 defensive snaps (95%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); 50.5 defensive grade, 31.6 run defense grade, 49.1 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade; 10.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | sixth 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 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (home) | not active for fourth consecutive game (calf injury)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Week 9 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 32 | 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 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.2 offensive grade, 55.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Bengals 35, Ravens 13 (home) | didn’t start: no statistics; 20 offensive snaps (30%), 6 special-teams snaps (24%); 57.5 offensive grade, 53.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Jacksonville, Prime Video
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 110 carries, 472 yards (4.3 average), 8 touchdowns; 19 catches, 103 yards (17 longest), 5.4 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 77.0 offensive grade, 79.6 pass grade, 60.8 pass-block grade, 75.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | started: 25 carries, career-high 155 yards (6.2 average; 34 longest), 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 2:21, 4th quarter); career-high 88.0 offensive grade (previous high 81.9 at Jacksonville in Week 2 of the 2021 season), 52.1 pass grade, 82.4 pass-block grade, season-high 85.9 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, 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
— 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 practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all 3 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
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in 2 preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and 2assists in 3preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami
— 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 @Patriots
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