Category: NFL

Tar Heels in NFL: Hollins plays well; Dalton makes NFL debut; Ezeudu gets first NFL start; Fox has best NFL game

On a day that UNC alums didn’t put up big numbers, there were some nice stories with defensive end Jalen Dalton finally making his NFL debut, rookie offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu making his first NFL start and rookie linebacker Tomon Fox playing his best professional game. Wide receiver Mack Hollins was one of the few bright spots for the Las Vegas Raiders in their 24–0 road loss to the New Orleans Saints. Hollins caught seven passes on eight targets for a team-leading 64 yards, including a 14-yard reception. Star wide receiver Davante Adams, who battled through sickness last week, only had one catch on five targets for three yards.

Tar Heels in NFL: Trubisky relieves Pickett, is confident, aggressive in helping Steelers upset Bucs; Carter’s Jets role reduced

Mitch Trubisky has been playing on Pittsburgh’s scout team the last two weeks and not getting live reps in practice, but that didn’t seem to matter Sunday when rookie Kenny Pickett left the game in the third quarter with a concussion. Two games after Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin benched him in favor of the rookie from Pitt at halftime of the Oct. 2 loss to the New York Jets, Trubisky looked more aggressive and confident. That helped the Steelers hold on for a 20–18 home upset of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tar Heels in NFL: Trubisky benched at halftime of Steelers’ loss; Javonte Williams exits with knee injury

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.

Tar Heels in NFL: Hollins has career day, makes two late clutch catches but Raiders fall

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.

Bucs place Bernard on injured reserve; Holcomb limited in practice; Trubisky plays Thursday

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.

Tar Heels in NFL: Hollins has huge game; Williams does well with more carries; Trubisky booed during Steelers’ loss

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.

Tar Heels in NFL: Trubisky makes big OT plays in Steelers win; Carter collects 100 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.

Tar Heels in NFL: Javonte Williams, Trubisky two of six UNC alums named starters; who will play and who got released?

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.

Steelers name Trubisky captain, list him as starting QB

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.

Tar Heels in NFL: Howell plays entire game, looks sharp for Washington; Trubisky solidifies starting spot; Chandler impressive; Newsome, 3 others released

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.