Detroit Lions Week 2 snap count observations: Is Jamal Agnew’s job in jeopardy?

Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 2 snap counts against the Los Angeles Chargers, and my observations and thoughts about them.

Offense:

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford: 61 (100%)

Running backs

Kerryon Johnson: 33 (54%)
Ty Johnson: 13 (21%) — 7 special teams snaps (32%)
C.J. Anderson: 12 (20%)
Nick Bawden: 10 (16%) — 15 (68%)
J.D. McKissic: 4 (7%) — 2 (9%)

Tight ends

T.J. Hockenson: 48 (79%)
Jesse James: 30 (49%) — 3 (14%)
Logan Thomas: 6 (10%) — 15 (68%)

Wide receivers

Kenny Golladay: 56 (92%)
Marvin Jones Jr.: 56 (92%)
Danny Amendola: 35 (57%) — 2 (9%)
Chris Lacy: 2 (3%) — 10 (45%)

Offensive tackles

Rick Wagner: 61 (100%) — 3 (14%)
Tyrell Crosby: 61 (100%) — 3 (14%)

Guards/centers

Frank Ragnow: 61 (100%) — 3 (14%)
Graham Glasgow: 49 (80%) — 3 (14%)
Joe Dahl: 46 (75%) — 3 (14%)
Kenny Wiggins: 27 (44%) — 3 (14%)

Observations:

• Welcome to the league, Ty Johnson. The Lions’ sixth-round pick only played in 13 snaps, but it was the second-most among running backs, and he turned those 13 snaps into seven touches (five rushes, two catches) and 36 yards.
• Again, the Lions decided to rotate Kenny Wiggins in for Joe Dahl and Graham Glasgow. Last week, head coach Matt Patricia said this was part of the game plan, so this may be something we need to get used to, even if it is pretty unconventional.
• No changes in tight end usage this week, it remains extremely high, which is no surprise given the Lions’ playmakers there and their need for extra protection against the Chargers.

Defense:

Defensive end

Romeo Okwara: 47 (70%) — 4 (18%)
Trey Flowers: 39 (58%)

Defensive tackle

Damon Harrison Sr.: 34 (51%) — 3 (14%)
A’Shawn Robinson: 29 (43%) — 4 (18%)
Mike Daniels: 29 (43%) — 4 (18%)
Kevin Strong: 10 (15%)

Linebackers

Devon Kennard: 64 (96%) — 4 (18%)
Christian Jones: 60 (90%) — 9 (41%)
Jahlani Tavai: 46 (69%) — 5 (23%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 33 (49%) — 14 (64%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 15 (68%)

Cornerbacks

Rashaan Melvin: 67 (100%)
Darius Slay: 65 (97%)
Justin Coleman: 52 (78%) — 11 (50%)
Mike Ford: 1 (1%) — 10 (45%)
Dee Virgin: 0 (0%) — 17 (77%)
Jamal Agnew: 0 (0%) — 5 (23%)

Safety

Tracy Walker: 67 (100%)
Quandre Diggs: 67 (100%)
Will Harris: 16 (24%) — 14 (64%)
Tavon Wilson: 11 (16%) — 8 (36%)
C.J. Moore: 0 (0%) — 19 (86%)

Observations:

• 67 defensive snaps are a little more manageable than 89 last week. Good on the Lions defense for not getting stuck on the field too long.
• Unsurprisingly, the Lions went went seven-man fronts a little more often than in Week 1, due to the Chargers’ ability to run the ball. The biggest benefactors in terms of playing time were Damon Harrison Sr., who jumped from 30 percent of snaps last week to 51 percent, and Christian Jones, who went from 72 percent to 90.
• The person who saw the biggest drop in playing time was Jamal Agnew, who went from playing 21 defensive snaps in Week 1 to exactly zero. Combine that with him getting pulled from special teams after another fumble, and you have to wonder if Agnew could be a game day inactive if the issues continue. The Lions have capable special teamers in Ty Johnson, J.D. McKissic and Danny Amendola, and if Agnew isn’t as valuable on defense anymore with Justin Coleman at nickel, you have to wonder how important Agnew is to this team anymore.

Patricia still has his back publicly, though.

“I believe in him. I think, just in the moment thought that I had to make a decision there, but that’s just in that moment for this game,” the head coach said.

We’ll see if he continues to show that support next week.

• Third-round safety Will Harris is slowly working his way into the game plan. He jumped from 17 percent of snaps last week to 24 this week. It says a lot that they trust him over veteran Tavon Wilson at this point.

Special teams

Sam Martin: 11 (50%)
Don Muhlbach: 8 (36%)
Matt Prater: 3 (14%)