Lions-Packers snap count observations: Da’Shawn Hand, Romeo Okwara thriving in increased roles

Here are the snap counts for the Detroit Lions’ Week 5 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Offense:

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford: 62 (100%)

Running backs

Kerryon Johnson: 29 (47%)
Theo Riddick: 19 (31%)
LeGarrette Blount: 18 (29%)
Ameer Abdullah: 0 (0%) — 4 special teams snap (14%)

Fullbacks

Nick Bellore: 11 (18%) — 16 (57%)

Tight ends

Luke Willson: 34 (55%) — 11 (39%)
Levine Toilolo: 32 (52%) — 8 (29%)

Wide receivers

Marvin Jones Jr.: 58 (94%) — 1 (4%)
Kenny Golladay: 49 (79%)
Golden Tate: 48 (77%) — 1 (4%)
TJ Jones: 9 (15%) — 6 (21%)

Offensive tackles

Rick Wagner: 62 (100%) — 6 (21%)
Taylor Decker: 62 (100%) — 4 (14%)

Guards/centers

Graham Glasgow: 62 (100%) — 6 (21%)
Frank Ragnow: 62 (100%) — 6 (21%)
Kenny Wiggins: 62 (100%) — 6 (21%)
Joe Dahl: 3 (5%) — 2 (7%)

Observations:

• For the third time this season, Kerryon Johnson led the running backs in snaps, even after missing the finale few series due to an ankle injury. His 47 percent of snaps matched his career-high despite the late injury.
• Interesting that Marvin Jones Jr. reclaimed the most snaps among receivers, taking it from Kenny Golladay. Yet it was Golladay who produced more against the Packers.
• Cause for concern? Maybe I’m being overly anxious, but the fact that Taylor Decker only played in four special teams snaps while the rest of the offensive line played in six is, at the very least, a bit odd. Sometimes a coaching staff decides to lower the special teams snaps for a guy dealing with an injury, and in the past Decker has played the same amount as every other offensive lineman. Not sure what’s going on there.
• Despite his 2018 debut, Ameer Abdullah was limited to just kickoff return duties on Sunday.

Defense:

Defensive end

Romeo Okwara: 73 (90%) — 1 (4%)
Da’Shawn Hand: 62 (77%) — 6 (21%)
Kerry Hyder: 34 (42%) — 3 (11%)
Eric Lee: 8 (10%) — 6 (21%)

Defensive tackle

A’Shawn Robinson: 32 (40%) — 10 (37%)
Ricky Jean Francois: 24 (30%) — 5 (18%)
Sylvester Williams: 1 (1%) — 5 (18%)

Linebackers

Devon Kennard: 78 (96%) — 6 (21%)
Jarrad Davis: 77 (95%) — 6 (21%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 32 (40%) — 16 (57%)
Christian Jones: 24 (30%) — 15 (54%)
Marquis Flowers: 0 (0%) — 9 (32%)

Cornerbacks

Quandre Diggs: 81 (100%) — 1 (4%)
Nevin Lawson: 80 (99%) — 9 (32%)
Darius Slay: 78 (96%) — 5 (18%)
DeShawn Shead: 45 (56%) — 15 (54%)
Teez Tabor: 32 (40%) — 6 (21%)
Cre’Von LeBlanc: 26 (32%) — 8 (29%)
Jamal Agnew: 11 (14%) — 10 (36%)

Safety

Glover Quin: 81 (100%) — 7 (25%)
Tracy Walker: 12 (15%) — 10 (36%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 21 (75%)
Charles Washington: 0 (0%) — 16 (57%)

Observations:

• Can we take a moment and appreciate what Romeo Okwara has done in the past three weeks? As he’s learning a new defensive system, Okwara has now been asked to play over 80 percent of snaps in three straight games—and the Lions defense played a TON of snaps in those games. This time the number got bumped up to 90 percent, and Okwara responded with two sacks.
• Sylvester Williams has been seriously demoted since the beginning of the year. Granted, the Lions got out to an early lead, meaning Williams wasn’t needed as much—he’s a much better run stuffer than pass rusher. However, one snap is one snap. A’Shawn Robinson is a clear starter now.
• Sticking with the defensive line, Da’Shawn Hand saw a career-high in snap percentages, as the Lions continue to throw more and more work his way. He’s undoubtedly earned it.
• Interesting to see Jalen Reeves-Maybin have an increased role vs. the Packers. The Lions clearly valued his coverage ability more than that of Christian Jones.
• In the beat-up secondary, the Lions chose to go heavy on the corners and light on the safeties—although Diggs should be considered both. As a result, Tracy Walker didn’t get much playing time, while DeShawn Shead was given a bigger role—likely to handle tight end Jimmy Graham.

Special teams

Sam Martin: 16 (57%)
Don Muhlbach: 11 (39%)
Matt Prater: 7 (25%)