Pack Pros: Former NC State RB Bam Knight explodes in Arizona Cardinals final preseason game

Former NC State running back Zonovan Knight is looking to make a case to make a 53-man roster for the first time since the 2023 campaign. This preseason has been critical for the elusive ball carrier to do just that, and his final live audition might have made a strong argument in his favor. 

Knight, who spent last season on the New York Jets’ practice squad, posted a preseason-best five carries for 83 yards and a touchdown in the Arizona Cardinals’ 20-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders this past weekend. 

The Bailey, N.C., native’s most-impressive play came late in the third quarter as both teams were tied at 10. He took a handoff from the Cardinals’ own 33-yard line, sliced right up the middle into open space and took off for a 67-yard touchdown carry.

Bam Knight turns on the speed for a 67-yard TD!

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Knight’s explosive run proved he can still cut it at the NFL level, a key idea he was trying to prove after his 2023 campaign was cut short due to injury. While that carry was critical for his case, Knight has been one of the best running backs in the entire NFL this preseason as he has logged 85 rushing yards over expected, according to NextGenStats.

The former Wolfpack running back finished his three preseason games with 12 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown as he didn’t play more than 19 snaps in any of the three exhibition contests. 

While Knight was able to make his case to make the Cardinals’ active roster, he wasn’t the only Pack Pro in action. Here’s a look at the rest of NC State’s players looking to solidify their spots on NFL rosters this preseason.

NC State Pack Pros: Preseason Week 3

OT Anthony Belton (played at NC State from 2021-2024), #71 Green Bay Packers: Belton played 45 total snaps in the Packers’ 20-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He allowed two quarterback pressures, leading to one hurry and one hit, in the victory. 

C Garrett Bradbury (2014-18), #65 New England Patriots: Bradbury did not play in the Patriots’ 42-10 loss to the New York Giants as the team rested its starters in the final week of preseason action.

QB Jacoby Brissett (2014-15), #7 Arizona Cardinals: Brissett did not play in the Cardinals’ 20-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

OLB Bradley Chubb (2014-17), #2 Miami Dolphins: Chubb returned to more-consistent action in the Dolphins’ 14-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars as he worked his way back from injury. The defensive end posted two tackles, including 0.5 sacks, with a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit. 

P A.J. Cole III (2015-18), #6 Las Vegas Raiders: Cole recorded six punts for 307 total yards in the Raiders’ 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He placed four kicks inside the 20-yard line with one touchback as he averaged 51.2 yards per attempt in the defeat.

DT Cory Durden (2021-22), #69 New York Giants: Durden posted three total tackles, including one solo stop, in the Giants 42-10 win over the New England Patriots. He also posted a quarterback hit in the victory.

OT Ikem Ekwonu (2019-21), #79 Carolina Panthers: Ekwonu did not play in the Panthers’ 19-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

DL B.J. Hill Jr. (2014-17), #92 Cincinnati Bengals: Hill did not play in the Bengals’ 41-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. 

S Tanner Ingle (2018-22), #34 Los Angeles Rams: Ingle recorded nine total tackles, including five solo stops, in the Rams’ 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The safety was tied for the team lead in tackles as he played a preseason-best 55 total snaps.

DT Justin Jones (2014-17), #93 Arizona Cardinals: Jones did not play in the Cardinals’ 20-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

LB Vi Jones (2019-21), #53 Arizona Cardinals: Jones logged four tackles, including three solo stops, with a pass defended in the Cardinals’ 20-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The linebacker played 46 total snaps in Arizona’s victory.

RB Zonovan Knight (2019-21), #35 Arizona Cardinals: Knight posted five carries for 83 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals’ 20-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The tailback averaged 16.6 yards per carry, aided by a 67-yard scamper in the victory.

OL Timothy McKay (2019-2024), #68 Washington Commanders: McKay, who has recovered from a torn pec at NC State’s pro day, played 37 total snaps in the Commanders’ 30-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He allowed one quarterback pressure, which led to a sack, in the defeat.

C Dylan McMahon (2019-23), #63 Los Angeles Rams: McMahon did not play in the Rams’ 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

DT Alim McNeill (2018-20), #54 Detroit Lions: McNeill did not play in the Lions’ 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans as he recovers from last year’s season-ending injury.

WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), #16 Las Vegas Raiders: Meyers played 10 total snaps in the Raiders’ 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He was targeted once, but did not log a catch in the loss.

RB Nyheim Miller-Hines (2015-17), #31 Los Angeles Chargers: Miller-Hines logged nine carries for 21 yards in the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He also caught two passes for nine yards with four kick returns for 93 yards and three punt returns for 16 yards. Miller-Hines did lose another fumble in the defeat.

DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), #52 Los Angeles Rams: Murchison did not play in the Rams’ 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), #57 Las Vegas Raiders: Pratt played just three total snaps in the Raiders’ 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), #93 Atlanta Falcons: Street played 25 total snaps in the Falcons’ 31-13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

WR Thayer Thomas (2017-22), #89 Minnesota Vikings: Thomas logged four receptions for 19 yards in the Vikings’ 23-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

LB Drake Thomas (2019-22), #42 Seattle Seahawks: Thomas recorded six total tackles, including two solo stops, in the Seahawks’ 20-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

OL Joe Thuney (2011-15), #62 Chicago Bears: Thuney did not play in the Bears’ 29-27 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. 

RB Jordan Waters (2024), #36 Los Angeles Rams: Waters posted six carries for 42 yards with a touchdown in the Rams’ 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

LB Payton Wilson (2018-23), #41 Pittsburgh Steelers: Wilson logged 12 total snaps played in the Steelers’ 19-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

QB Russell Wilson (2007-10, finished at Wisconsin), #3 New York Giants: Wilson, the Giants’ Week 1 starter, did not play in the 42-10 win over the New England Patriots to close out the preseason.

OL Chandler Zavala (2021-22), #62 Carolina Panthers: Zavala made his preseason debut in the Panthers’ 19-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He logged 23 total snaps played and allowed one quarterback pressure in the defeat.