Detroit Lions Week 16 snap counts: Amani Oruwariye barely plays vs. Broncos

Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 16 snap counts against the Denver Broncos along with my own observations.

Offense:

Quarterbacks

David Blough: 50 (100%)

Running backs

Kerryon Johnson: 16 (32%)
Bo Scarbrough: 14 (28%)
Ty Johnson: 12 (24%) — 8 special team snaps (30%)
J.D. McKissic: 7 (14%)
Jamal Agnew: 4 (8%) — 12 (44%)

Tight ends

Logan Thomas: 31 (62%) — 8 (30%)
Jesse James: 29 (58%) — 9 (33%)
Isaac Nauta (FB/TE): 7 (14%) — 15 (56%)

Wide receivers

Kenny Golladay: 48 (96%)
Danny Amendola: 41 (82%)— 1 (4%)
Chris Lacy: 24 (48%) — 10 (37%)
Travis Fulgham: 17 (34%) — 8 (30%)

Offensive tackles

Tyrell Crosby: 50 (100%) — 3 (11%)
Taylor Decker: 48 (96%) — 1 (4%)
Dan Skipper: 2 (4%) — 8 (30%)

Guards/centers

Frank Ragnow: 50 (100%) — 3 (11%)
Graham Glasgow: 50 (100%) — 3 (11%)
Oday Aboushi: 50 (100%) — 3 (11%)
Beau Benzschawel: 0 (0%) — 2 (7%)

Observations:

• With Kerryon Johnson and Bo Scarbrough back this week, the Lions split all four of their running backs fairly evenly. No one had more than 16 snaps or fewer than seven. Many believe Scarbrough and Johnson have a chance to be Detroit’s one-two punch next year, but the two combined for just 60 percent of the snaps on offense. Jamal Agnew even logged a few offensive snaps.
• Travis Fulgham saw a significant bump in playing time this week, but the rookie receiver still hasn’t notched a reception.
• The Lions’ starting offensive line nearly logged 100 percent of the snaps, but left tackle Taylor Decker briefly left the game with an injury and came back.
• Speaking of the offensive line, undrafted rookie Beau Benzschawel made his first NFL appearance on Sunday, but it was just in a couple of special teams snaps.

Defense:

Defensive end

Trey Flowers: 50 (70%)
Romeo Okwara: 38 (54%) — 5 (19%)
Austin Bryant: 29 (41%) — 5 (19%)

Defensive tackle

John Atkins: 49 (69%)
Damon Harrison Sr.: 45 (63%)
Frank Herron: 30 (42%) — 5 (19%)

Linebackers

Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 65 (92%) — 14 (52%)
Devon Kennard: 64 (90%)
Steve Longa: 40 (56%) — 13 (48%)
Jahlani Tavai: 15 (21%)
Jason Cabinda: 0 (0%) — 24 (89%)

Cornerbacks

Darius Slay: 64 (90%)
Rashaan Melvin: 59 (83%)
Justin Coleman: 48 (68%) — 10 (37%)
Amani Oruwariye: 3 (4%) — 5 (19%)
Dee Virgin: 0 (0%) — 24 (89%)

Safety

Tracy Walker: 70 (99%) — 3 (11%)
Tavon Wilson: 70 (99%) — 6 (22%)
Will Harris: 34 (48%) — 17 (63%)
C.J. Moore: 0 (0%) — 19 (70%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 24 (89%)

Observations:

• Amani Oruwariye struggled in limited snaps last week against the Bucs, and on Sunday, the fifth-round rookie was almost benched completely. Rashaan Melvin saw nearly every snap on Sunday, while Oruwariye played just three on defense. It’s a puzzling move when this is a perfect opportunity to give rookies some valuable playing time.
• With Christian Jones and Jarrad Davis on IR, plus Jahlani Tavai suffering an in-game injury, Jalen Reeves-Maybin saw the most playing time in a single game in his three-year career. He turned that into a career-high nine tackles, including one tackle for loss.
• Likewise, linebacker Steve Longa also set career highs in snaps (40) and tackles (6) in a game.
• Man, how the defensive line has fallen. The preseason expectations of Trey Flowers, Damon Harrison, Da’Shawn Hand, Mike Daniels and A’Shawn Robinson has turned into Flowers, Harrison, John Atkins and Frank Herron. Yikes.

Special teams

Sam Martin: 12 (44%)
Don Muhlbach: 8 (30%)
Matt Prater: 3 (11%)