Detroit Lions Week 15 snap counts: Injuries force 10 rookies into lineup vs. Bucs

Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 15 snap counts against the Tampa Buccaneers and some observations along with them.

Offense:

Quarterbacks

David Blough: 64 (100%)

Running backs

Ty Johnson: 29 (45%) — 3 special team snaps (10%)
Wes Hills: 23 (36%)
J.D. McKissic: 12 (19%) — 4 (14%)
Isaac Nauta (FB/TE): 12 (19%) — 12 (41%)

Tight ends

Logan Thomas: 42 (66%) — 8 (28%)
Jesse James: 38 (59%) — 10 (34%)

Wide receivers

Kenny Golladay: 60 (94%)
Danny Amendola: 55 (86%)— 2 (7%)
Chris Lacy: 42 (66%) — 9 (31%)
Travis Fulgham 4 (6%) — 9 (31%)

Offensive tackles

Taylor Decker: 64 (100%) — 3 (10%)
Tyrell Crosby: 64 (100%) — 3 (100%)
Dan Skipper: 2 (3%) — 9 (31%)

Guards/centers

Frank Ragnow: 64 (100%) — 1 (3%)
Graham Glasgow: 64 (100%) — 3 (10%)
Kenny Wiggins: 43 (67%) — 6 (21%)
Oday Aboushi: 22 (34%) — 3 (10%)

Observations:

• Wes Hills technically got the start for the Lions this week—the first of his NFL career—but it was rookie Ty Johnson who saw the majority of snaps in the Lions’ backfield.
• THE GUARD ROTATION IS DEAD! Graham Glasgow played in every snap for just the second time all season. The only other time was when he started at center in place of an injured Frank Ragnow. That being said, Oday Aboushi got in the game when Kenny Wiggins suffered a second-half injury.
• Travis Fulgham—the Lions’ sixth round rookie—got his first NFL action on Sunday, though he only played in four offensive snaps.

Defense:

Defensive end

Romeo Okwara: 52 (69%) — 7 (24%)
Trey Flowers: 46 (61%)
Austin Bryant: 34 (45%) — 8 (28%)

Defensive tackle

Frank Herron: 43 (57%)
John Atkins: 42 (56%) — 3 (10%)
Damon Harrison Sr.: 41 (55%)
Mike Daniels: 14 (19%) — 1 (3%)

Linebackers

Jahlani Tavai: 70 (93%) — 7 (24%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 50 (67%) — 19 (66%)
Devon Kennard: 45 (60%) — 4 (14%)
Steve Longa: 1 (1%) — 17 (59%)
Jason Cabinda: 0 (0%) — 22 (76%)

Cornerbacks

Rashaan Melvin: 68 (91%)
Darius Slay: 65 (87%)
Justin Coleman: 47 (63%)
Amani Oruwariye: 13 (17%) — 3 (10%)
Mike Ford: 10 (13%) — 18 (62%)
Dee Virgin: 0 (0%) — 26 (90%)
Jamal Agnew: 0 (0%) — 12 (41%)

Safety

Tracy Walker: 75 (100%) — 3 (10%)
Tavon Wilson: 69 (92%) — 6 (21%)
Will Harris: 39 (52%) — 13 (45%)
C.J. Moore: 1 (1%) — 14 (48%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 26 (90%)

Observations:

• Romeo Okwara with more snaps than Trey Flowers? Frank Herron and John Atkins with more snaps than Damon Harrison? Sure, why not.
• Austin Bryant also saw a huge chunk of playing time, in part, because of the mid-game injury to Devon Kennard
• Rashaan Melvin reclaimed the CB2 job against the Bucs, while rookie Amani Oruwariye was delegated to a subpackage role that only resulted in 13 snaps. Interestingly, Mike Ford played almost as much (10 snaps) as Oruwariye.
• With Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones sidelined to injury, Jalen Reeves-Maybin saw his first significant playing time since Week 2.
• Overall, the Lions played a TON of rookies. David Blough, Wes Hills, Ty Johnson, Isaac Nauta, Travis Fulgham, Austin Bryant, Jahlani Tavai, Amani Oruwariye, Will Harris and C.J. Moore. Additionally, defensive Frank Herron made his first NFL appearance and receiver Chris Lacy played in only his second game with significant playing time.

Special teams

Sam Martin: 12 (41%)
Don Muhlbach: 8 (28%)
Matt Prater: 3 (10%)