Detroit Lions Week 8 snap counts: Detroit’s young secondary gets tested vs. Giants

Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ snap counts for Week 8’s game against the New York Giants.

Offense:

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford: 63 (100%)

Running backs

Ty Johnson: 25 (40%) — 8 special team snaps (31%)
Tra Carson: 19 (30%) — 1 (4%)
J.D. McKissic: 16 (25%) — 4 (15%)
Nick Bawden: 15 (24%) — 15 (58%)
Paul Perkins: 6 (10%) — 4 (15%)

Tight ends

T.J. Hockenson: 42 (67%) — 1 (4%)
Jesse James: 22 (35%) — 7 (27%)
Logan Thomas: 7 (11%) — 11 (42%)

Wide receivers

Marvin Jones Jr.: 55 (87%) — 1 (4%)
Kenny Golladay: 52 (83%) — 1 (4%)
Danny Amendola: 42 (67%) — 2 (8%)
Marvin Hall: 14 (22%)

Offensive tackles

Taylor Decker: 63 (100%) — 6 (23%)
Rick Wagner: 63 (100%)
Tyrell Crosby: 0 (0%) — 6 (23%)

Guards/centers

Frank Ragnow: 63 (100%) — 5 (23%)
Joe Dahl: 57 (90%) — 6 (23%)
Graham Glasgow: 41 (65%) — 6 (23%)
Kenny Wiggins: 28 (44%) — 9 (35%)

Observations:

• The Detroit Lions were clearly trying to figure out if they had an answer at running back on their roster. While Tra Carson got the start, nearly all four of their running backs got a shot as the feature back for a drive or two. It’s safe to say no one player emerged from the pack.
• Remember the days we spoke lovingly of 12 personnel? As of now, the Lions usage of tight ends is at an all-time low. Detroit seems much more comfortable putting three wide receivers out there, as they are giving the offense a lot more production right now.
• Graham Glasgow played a career-low 65 percent of snaps this week. You could read that one of two ways: Either the Lions want Wiggins in there for Glasgow more than they want Wiggins in for Joe Dahl, or this was just happenstance. Usually Wiggins comes in for a drive, and it’s possible his drives in replacement for Glasgow simply lasted longer than when he was in for Dahl.

UPDATE: Chris Burke of The Athletic notes that Glasgow missed most of the fourth quarter. No injury designation was given to Glasgow during the game.

Defense:

Defensive end

Trey Flowers: 45 (61%) — 3 (12%)
Romeo Okwara: 35 (47%) — 5 (19%)

Defensive tackle

Da’Shawn Hand: 40 (54%)
A’Shawn Robinson: 38 (51%) — 3 (12%)
Damon Harrison Sr.: 31 (42%)
John Atkins: 21 (28%)

Linebackers

Jarrad Davis: 66 (89%) — 3 (12%)
Devon Kennard: 64 (86%) — 1 (4%)
Christian Jones: 49 (66%) — 8 (31%)
Jahlani Tavai: 36 (49%) — 6 (23%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 0 (0%) — 17 (65%)
Steve Longa: 0 (0%) — 16 (62%)

Cornerbacks

Justin Coleman: 74 (100%) — 6 (23%)
Rashaan Melvin: 74 (100%)
Mike Ford: 45 (61%) — 6 (23%)
Dee Virgin: 0 (0%) — 19 (73%)
Jamal Agnew: 0 (0%) — 12 (46%)

Safety

Will Harris: 61 (82%) — 16 (62%)
Tavon Wilson: 61 (82%) — 4 (15%)
Tracy Walker: 42 (57%) — 1 (4%)
C.J. Moore: 23 (31%) — 16 (62%)
Miles Killebrew: 9 (12%) — 20 (77%)

Observations:

• The Detroit Lions did not bother to ease Da’Shawn Hand in on Sunday. He got a full workload, leading defensive tackles with over 50 percent of snaps against the Giants.
• Detroit went a little lighter on the linebackers this week and a little heavier on the secondary. It’s hard to know of that was the game plan going in or a result of the Lions leading for nearly the entire game. Either way, the fact that they were able to stop the run effectively without overloading the box is a positive sign.
• As for that secondary... it’s kind of stunning to see how young they are. Justin Coleman is 26. Mike Ford is 24. Will Harris is 23. Tracy Walker is 24. C.J. Moore is 23. All of those guys had a significant portion of snaps, and that could explain why they struggled so much against the Giants.
• Hey, welcome back Miles Killebrew! Killebrew saw his first playing time on defense since Week 16 of the 2017 season.

Special teams

Sam Martin: 15 (58%)
Don Muhlbach: 9 (35%)
Matt Prater: 6 (23%)