Lions-Texans snap count observations: Detroit gets a good, long look at their starting defense

Here’s a look at the snap counts from the Detroit Lions’ second preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Offense:

Quarterbacks

David Fales: 34 (51%)
Josh Johnson: 33 (49%)

Running backs

Ty Johnson: 17 (25%) — 2 special teams snaps (6%)
Justin Stockton: 13 (19%)
Zach Zenner: 12 (18%) — 12 (36%)
Mark Thompson: 9 (13%) — 2 (6%)
Nick Bawden: 8 (12%) — 10 (30%)
Kerryon Johnson: 8 (12%)
C.J. Anderson: 8 (12%)

Tight ends

Isaac Nauta: 16 (24%) — 10 (30%)
T.J. Hockenson: 15 (22%)
Jesse James: 14 (21%)
Logan Thomas: 13 (19%) — 10 (30%)
Jerome Cunningham: 12 (18%) — 13 (39%)
Austin Traylor: 5 (7%) — 12 (36%)

Wide receivers

Andy Jones: 35 (52%) — 10 (30%)
Brandon Powell: 31 (46%) — 4 (12%)
Travis Fulgham: 29 (43%) — 5 (15%)
Chris Lacy: 27 (40%) — 8 (24%)
Tom Kennedy: 21 (31%) — 2 (6%)
Jonathan Duhart: 16 (24%) — 12 (36%)
Deontez Alexander: 16 (24%)
Tommylee Lewis: 10 (15%) — 2 (6%)

Offensive tackles

Andrew Donnal: 53 (79%) — 2 (6%)
Kenny Wiggins: 36 (54%) — 1 (3%)
Matt Nelson: 17 (25%) — 2 (6%)
Rick Wagner: 14 (21%) — 1 (3%)
Taylor Decker: 14 (21%)
Ryan Pope: 0 (0%) — 2 (6%)

Guards/centers

Luke Bowanko: 36 (54%)
Beau Benzschawel: 34 (51%) — 2 (6%)
Leo Koloamatangi: 25 (37%) — 1 (3%)
Oday Aboushi: 25 (37%) — 1 (3%)
Graham Glasgow: 25 (37%) — 1 (3%)
Joe Dahl: 25 (38%) — 1 (3%)
Micah St. Andrew: 17 (25%) — 1 (3%)
Frank Ragnow: 14 (21%) — 1 (3%)

Observations:

• The Lions got a much longer look at their healthy offensive weapons. Kerryon Johnson went from zero eight snaps. T.J. Hockenson went from six to 15, and even C.J. Anderson went from three to eight.
• With the top three receivers still out, Andy Jones got the biggest piece of the pie on Saturday. However, it’s more noteworthy that guys like Chris Lacy, Tommylee Lewis and even Tom Kennedy got in there earlier.
• The starting offensive line got a total of 14 plays in there together, but the “starting” guards—Joe Dahl and Graham Glasgow—got an extra series or two.
• If you’re holding out hope that UDFA Ryan Pope makes the team, he has now played just a single snap in two preseason games: a kneel down to end Week 1.
• Beau Benzschawel, on the other hand, got a good chunk of playing time—mostly in the second half.

Defense:

Defensive end

Jonathan Wynn: 36 (46%) — 4 (12%)
Romeo Okwara: 31 (40%) — 2 (6%)
Mitchell Loewen: 22 (28%) — 4 (12%)
Eric Lee: 20 (26%) — 4 (12%)

Defensive tackle

Kevin Strong: 47 (60%) — 6 (18%)
Fred Jones: 37 (47%)
P.J. Johnson: 33 (42%) — 4 (12%)
A’Shawn Robinson: 28 (36%) — 2 (6%)

Linebackers

Anthony Pittman: 47 (60%) — 13 (39%)
Miles Killebrew: 39 (50%) — 14 (42%)
Malik Carney: 26 (33%) — 1 (3%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 25 (32%) — 9 (27%)
Jahlani Tavai: 21 (27%) — 5 (15%)
Christian Jones: 20 (26%) — 2 (6%)
Devon Kennard: 20 (26%) — 2 (6%)
Garret Dooley: 18 (23%) — 14 (42%)

Cornerbacks

Jonathan Alston: 35 (45%) — 1 (3%)
Mike Ford: 31 (40%) — 11 (33%)
Amani Oruwariye: 29 (37%) — 11 (33%)
Rashaan Melvin: 26 (33%) — 3 (9%)
Darius Slay: 26 (33%) — 2 (6%)
Andre Chachere: 21 (27%) — 6 (18%)
Justin Coleman: 19 (24%) — 3 (9%)
Jamar Summers: 18 (23%) — 4 (12%)
Jamal Agnew: 17 (22%) — 4 (12%)
Dee Virgin: 10 (13%) — 17 (52%)

Safety

Will Harris: 50 (64%) — 15 (45%)
Andrew Adams: 38 (49%) — 12 (36%)
Quandre Diggs: 22 (28%) — 1 (3%)
Tracy Walker: 20 (26%) — 2 (6%)
C.J. Moore: 16 (21%) — 9 (27%)
Charles Washington: 10 (13%) — 17 (52%)

Observations:

• Something to keep an eye on: Tavon Wilson didn’t play on Saturday. As far as I saw, there were no reports on him suffering an injury this week.
• The Lions got a good, long look at their healthy starters. It was a bit surprising to see the likes of Darius Slay, Quandre Diggs, A’Shawn Robinson and a few others all the way through the first half.
• Detroit also didn’t shy away from their rookie class. Will Harris saw more playing time than anyone on defense, while Amani Oruwariye, P.J. Johnson, and Jahlani Tavai played well over a quarter of the game.
• Linebackers Malik Carney and Garret Dooley both got a pretty good chunk of playing time after missing the preseason opener.
• With no Mike Daniels, Darius Kilgo, Damon Harrison or John Atkins, Fred Jones played a ton on Saturday, including time during the first and fourth quarters.
• Newby cornerbacks Jonathan Alston and Jamar Summers both got a great opportunity to highlight their skills against the Texans.