UNC Football: Sam Howell to make NFL debut against Cowboys
After essentially having a redshirt season in his rookie year, former UNC football standout Sam Howell is set to make his NFL debut this weekend.
It’s finally time.
Former UNC football standout Sam Howell is set to make his NFL debut on Sunday.
QB Sam Howell will start on Sunday pic.twitter.com/Ec7oYMKwtY
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 4, 2023
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera announced that Howell will start in the team’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
After being eliminated from playoff contention last week, the Commanders will use the final game of the season to evaluate some of its talent for the future. That includes Howell, who will get his first crack at some regular-season action.
At North Carolina, Howell became one of the best quarterbacks in program history, as he threw for 10,283 yards and 92 touchdowns over three seasons as the team’s starter. He was drafted by the Commanders in the fifth-round pick in last spring’s NFL Draft and suited up in seven games, all of which were in a backup role.
With Howell being the only quarterback under contract for the 2023 season, it makes sense for them to give him some game-action. Washington will likely bring in quarterback competition for next season, but this could be a great opportunity for the former Tar Heel to prove that he can be the guy to lead this team in the future.
The Howell-led Commanders will host the 12-4 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, January 8 at 4:25 PM EST.
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