Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 11 snap counts from their Sunday game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Offense:
Quarterbacks
Jeff Driskel: 65 (100%)
Running backs
Bo Scarbrough: 32 (49%)
Ty Johnson: 19 (29%) — 4 special team snaps (13%)
J.D. McKissic: 15 (23%)
Nick Bawden: 2 (3%) — 11 (35%)
Tight ends
T.J. Hockenson: 48 (74%) — 1 (3%)
Logan Thomas: 22 (34%) — 23 (74%)
Jesse James: 15 (23%) — 11 (35%)
Wide receivers
Kenny Golladay: 60 (92%) — 1 (3%)
Marvin Jones Jr.: 57 (88%) — 1 (3%)
Danny Amendola: 36 (55%)— 1 (3%)
Marvin Hall: 14 (22%) — 7 (23%)
Offensive tackles
Taylor Decker: 65 (100%) — 3 (10%)
Tyrell Crosby: 65 (100%) — 3 (10%)
Guards/centers
Graham Glasgow: 62 (95%)
Joe Dahl: 62 (95%) — 3 (10%)
Frank Ragnow: 56 (83%) — 3 (10%)
Kenny Wiggins: 20 (31%) — 8 (26%)
Oday Aboushi: 0 (0%) — 3 (10%)
Observations:
- Jesse James has now firmly fallen to third in the Lions’ tight end depth chart. James started the season averaging between 50-55 percent of playing time in the first five weeks. Since then, he hasn’t played more than 36 percent of playing time in a single game. Part of that is undoubtedly the increase in playing time for T.J. Hockenson, but the fact that Logan Thomas saw more playing time against the Cowboys is telling. Unfortunately for Detroit, they are likely tied to James’ bulky contract for at least one more year.
- Bo Scarbrough wasn’t only the starter on Sunday, but he was the workhorse back. Though Detroit scaled back his playing time in the second half, that’s a pretty good workload for a guy’s first NFL game.
- It’s a little surprising, too, to see Ty Johnson get more playing time than J.D. McKissic. McKissic certainly did more with his opportunities, getting six touches for 53 total yards. Meanwhile, Johnson got three touches for just 6 total yards.
- The guard rotations were slowed a bit in this game. Part of that is likely due to the late injury to Frank Ragnow. Graham Glasgow played 95 percent of snaps—a season-high—after moving to center following the fourth-quarter injury to Ragnow.
Defense:
Defensive end
Trey Flowers: 55 (74%) — 5 (16%)
Defensive tackle
A’Shawn Robinson: 55 (74%) — 3 (10%)
Damon Harrison Sr.: 49 (66%)
John Atkins: 36 (49%) — 2 (6%)
Mike Daniels: 29 (39%)
Linebackers
Jarrad Davis: 67 (91%) — 6 (19%)
Devon Kennard: 60 (81%) — 5 (16%)
Christian Jones: 53 (72%) — 13 (42%)
Jahlani Tavai: 46 (62%) — 11 (35%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 5 (7%) — 23 (74%)
Steve Longa: 0 (0%) — 23 (74%)
Cornerbacks
Darius Slay: 73 (99%)
Rashaan Melvin: 72 (97%)
Justin Coleman: 51 (69%) — 5 (16%)
Amani Oruwariye: 9 (12%) — 8 (26%)
Mike Ford: 5 (7%) — 19 (61%)
Dee Virgin: 0 (0%) — 27 (87%)
Jamal Agnew: 0 (0%) — 12 (39%)
Safety
Tavon Wilson: 67 (91%) — 8 (26%)
Will Harris: 59 (80%) — 8 (26%)
Tracy Walker: 23 (31%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 28 (90%)
C.J. Moore: 0 (0%) — 22 (71%)
Observations:
- The Lions went bulkier in this game, focusing on utilizing their front-seven over the secondary. It’s clear by the increased playing time of guys like A’Shawn Robinson and Damon Harrison Sr. that they were focused on stopping Ezekiel Elliott. They did a great job of that... buuuuuuuut, well, you know.
- Congratulations to Amani Oruwariye for getting his first ever NFL action on defense. Prior to Sunday, he only had a handful of special teams plays. However, by the end of Sunday, it appeared the Lions preferred him over reserve corner Mike Ford.
- Jarrad Davis saw his playing time bounce back up this week, and his PFF grade remained high.
- With Tracy Walker back in the lineup (temporarily), C.J. Moore was relegated to just special teams, while rookie safety Will Harris saw his playing time scaled back a tad.
Special teams
Don Muhlbach: 11 (35%)
Sam Martin: 11 (35%)
Matt Prater: 8 (26%)