Detroit Lions Week 6 snap counts: 7 observations from the Packers game

Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 5 snap counts against the Green Bay Packers and some observations about them.

Offense:

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford: 59 (100%)

Running backs

Kerryon Johnson: 43 (73%)
Nick Bawden: 22 (37%) — 18 (56%) special team snaps
J.D. McKissic: 14 (24%) — 8 (25%)
Ty Johnson: 2 (3%) — 12 (38%)
Paul Perkins: 0 (0%) — 1 (3%)

Tight ends

Jesse James: 33 (56%) — 6 (19%)
T.J. Hockenson: 33 (56%)
Logan Thomas: 21 (36%) — 18 (56%)

Wide receivers

Marvin Jones Jr.: 48 (81%)
Kenny Golladay: 47 (80%)
Danny Amendola: 20 (34%)
Marvin Hall: 10 (17%)

Offensive tackles

Rick Wagner: 59 (100%) — 6 (19%)
Taylor Decker: 59 (100%)
Tyrell Crosby: 0 (0%) — 6 (19%)

Guards/centers

Frank Ragnow: 59 (100%) — 6 (19%)
Joe Dahl: 47 (80%) — 6 (19%)
Graham Glasgow: 41 (69%) — 6 (19%)
Kenny Wiggins: 30 (51%) — 12 (38%)

Observations:

• A few interesting notes at running back: Nick Bawden saw his highest percentage of playing time in his career, with nearly 40 percent of playing time. Additionally, J.D. McKissic is now the clear No. 2 back, pushing rookie Ty Johnson’s playing time to almost nothing.
• The Lions’ guard rotation is officially out of control. Kenny Wiggins’ 51 percent playing time is the largest chunk he’s taken this year, the majority of which came replacing Graham Glasgow—literally the team’s second-best offensive lineman. I don’t get it.
• With Marvin Hall’s recent success, he took a significant portion of Danny Amendola’s playing time, as the veteran receiver is still likely recovering from his chest injury.

Defense:

Defensive end

Trey Flowers: 51 (69%)
Romeo Okwara: 36 (49%) — 6 (19%)

Defensive tackle

A’Shawn Robinson: 50 (68%)
Damon Harrison Sr.: 40 (54%)
John Atkins: 24 (32%)
Kevin Strong: 21 (28%) — 5 (16%)

Linebackers

Jarrad Davis: 72 (97%) — 7 (22%)
Devon Kennard: 62 (84%) — 1 (3%)
Jahlani Tavai: 44 (59%) — 11 (34%)
Christian Jones: 42 (57%) — 11 (34%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 25 (78%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 0 (0%) — 19 (59%)
Cornerbacks

Rashaan Melvin: 74 (100%) — 1 (3%)
Darius Slay: 72 (97%) — 1 (3%)
Justin Coleman: 57 (77%) — 8 (25%)
Mike Ford: 2 (3%) — 21 (66%)
Dee Virgin: 0 (0%) — 25 (78%)
Jamal Agnew: 0 (0%) — 15 (47%) — 2 offensive snaps

Safety

Tracy Walker: 73 (99%) — 2 (6%)
Tavon Wilson: 55 (74%) — 7 (22%)
Will Harris: 36 (49%) — 6 (19%)
C.J. Moore: 3 (4%) — 19 (59%)

Observations:

• Despite just being promoted from the practice squad, John Atkins jumped Kevin Strong in playing time, immediately assuming nearly a third of the Lions defensive snaps.
• Detroit went a lot heavier at linebacker this week, with four linebackers earning over 50 percent of playing time. Detroit went into a lot more seven-man boxes than previously seen, likely attempting to stop the Packers’ run game, considering how banged up Green Bay’s receiving corps was.
• One of those biggest benefactors: rookie Jahlani Tavai. His 59 percent of snaps was the highest we’ve seen from him since he was starting in place of an injured Jarrad Davis.
• At the expense of linebackers, Detroit did not go as safety heavy as we’ve seen before. This may have also been due to missing Quandre Diggs, who sat with a hamstring injury. Surprisingly, Harris actually saw a significant drop in his playing time from last game.

Special teams

Sam Martin: 17 (53%)
Don Muhlbach: 10 (31%)
Matt Prater: 6 (19%)