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There wasn’t that much good news for UNC alums in the NFL on Sunday, with Pittsburgh benching quarterback Mitchell Trubisky at halftime, Denver running back Javonte Williams injuring his right knee and Jets running back Michael Carter putting up a season-low rushing total. At least for now, Trubisky’s time as Pittsburgh’s starter appears to be over in favor of rookie Kenny Pickett, the former Pitt star, after the Steelers’ 24–20 home loss to the New York Jets.
Mack Hollins made a lot of fantasy football owners happy with the best performance of his career Sunday as he continues to put up more significant numbers than star Devonte Adams, his fellow wide receiver with the Las Vegas Raiders. Hollins made two clutch catches on a late touchdown drive in the Raiders’ 24–22 loss at Tennessee on Sunday and showed that he’s a dangerous weapon for them. UNC fans already knew he was versatile, and he proved that by also throwing a pass and downing a punt.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed reserve running back Giovani Bernard on injured reserve Wednesday with an ankle injury, meaning he will miss at least the next four weeks. Bernard, 30, left Sunday’s victory over New Orleans in the third quarter and didn’t return. He didn’t get an offensive snap in the first two Bucs game, playing 11 special-teams snaps, including returning a kickoff 14 yards against the Saints.
There was a lot of buzz during the preseason about how good Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins looked. Although it wasn’t evident in the Raiders’ opener, Hollins showed his ability in their 29–23 overtime home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Hollins, in his first season with Las Vegas, pulled down five catches on eight targets for a career-high-tying 66 yards.
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky may not have been dazzling in his first start for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he came up with two big throws in their game-winning overtime drive to make it a successful day. Trubisky, who said winning his first game with his new team “means a lot,” completed 21 of 38 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown and didn’t throw an interception in Pittsburgh’s wild 23–20 overtime victory Sunday in Cincinnati.
After running into the NFL spotlight during his rookie season, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams takes on a greater role with heightened expectations. The power back and Pittsburgh quarterback Mitch Trubisky will probably be the Tar Heels who will have the brightest spotlight on them as the NFL season starts this weekend. After 29 UNC alums entered NFL camps, only 16 will be on active opening-weekend rosters, with three on practice squads, one suspended and another out for the season. Williams and Trubisky are among six Tar Heels listed as starters.
A year after being the Buffalo Bills’ backup, the Pittsburgh Steelers have indicated that Mitch Trubisky will be their starting quarterback for Sunday’s opener at Cincinnati and named him as one of five captains. Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t announce his starter. But Trubisky is listed as the starter on the Steelers’ depth chart released Monday, with former University of Pittsburgh star Kenny Pickett as the backup and Mason Randolph third string.
NFL teams had to cut their rosters down to 53 players on Tuesday, which led to terrific news for outside linebacker Tomon Fox but a disappointing day for several other former UNC players. After 29 Tar Heels were in NFL camps when they started, that number of active players is down to 18, with three others on injured reserve.
The ESPN career of former UNC center Jeff Saturday has lasted nearly a decade and he has signed a contract extension.
While Sam Howell, at least initially, isn’t likely to play a significant regular-season role for the Washington Commanders, he took advantage of a chance to show his talent in their final exhibition game. The rookie quarterback got every snap of Washington’s 17–15 road loss Saturday at Baltimore. Although he couldn’t lead the Commanders to a victory, he was impressive, going 24 of 35 for 280 yards with a touchdown, no interceptions and a 102.1 passer rating. He also had eight carries for 62 yards, including a 13-yard run.
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