Detroit Lions Week 9 snap counts: Mounting injuries result in new opportunities vs. Vikings

Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 9 snap counts against the Minnesota Vikings

Offense

Quarterbacks:

Matthew Stafford: 60 (80%)
Chase Daniel: 15 (20%)

Running backs:

D’Andre Swift: 30 (40%) — 6 special teams snaps (21%)
Kerryon Johnson: 25 (33%)
Adrian Peterson: 20 (27%)
Jason Cabinda: 8 (11%) — 16 (57%)
Jonathan Williams: 0 (0%) — 2 (7%)

Tight ends:

T.J. Hockenson: 57 (76%)
Jesse James: 25 (33%) — 11 (39%)
Isaac Nauta: 5 (7%) — 6 (21%)

Wide receivers:

Marvin Jones Jr.: 71 (95%)
Marvin Hall: 53 (71%) — 7 (25%)
Danny Amendola: 48 (64%) — 5 (18%)
Quintez Cephus: 31 (41%) — 10 (36%)

Offensive tackles:

Taylor Decker: 75 (100%)
Tyrell Crosby: 75 (100%) — 5 (18%)
Matt Nelson: 2 (3%) — 5 (18%)

Guards/centers

Frank Ragnow: 75 (100%) — 5 (18%)
Jonah Jackson: 75 (100%) — 5 (18%)
Halapoulivaati Vaitai: 51 (68%) — 3 (11%)
Oday Aboushi: 24 (32%) — 5 (18%)
Marcus Martin: 0 (0%) — 2 (7%)

Observations:

• The running back snaps continue to shift away from Adrian Peterson and towards D’Andre Swift. Like last week, this was partially dictated by the game itself. Being down two and three scores for all of the second half had them move away from the running game. The team still values Peterson, though, as he started the game. As a result, Kerryon Johnson played a season-high 35 snaps.
• With no Kenny Golladay, the Lions essentially split time between Marvin Hall and Quintez Cephus. They combined for just five catches and 59 yards.
• As expected, Tyrell Crosby slipped into the starting lineup at right tackle with Joe Dahl out. Halapoulivaati Vaitai played right guard, but he continues to struggle staying healthy. Oday Aboushi had to come in late.
• Shout out to Jonathan Williams and Marcus Martin. Both newly-added players logged their first snaps of the season on Sunday, albeit on just a pair of special teams plays

Defense:

Defensive end:

Romeo Okwara: 53 (91%) — 15 (54%)
Everson Griffen: 24 (41%) — 1 (4%)

Defensive tackle:

Danny Shelton: 42 (72%) — 5 (18%)
Nick Williams: 39 (67%) — 5 (18%)
John Penisini: 39 (67%)
Da’Shawn Hand: 24 (41%) — 5 (18%)

Linebackers:

Jamie Collins Sr.: 55 (95%)
Reggie Ragland: 28 (48%)
Austin Bryant: 27 (47%) — 10 (36%)
Jahlani Tavai: 22 (38%) — 9 (32%)
Christian Jones: 22 (38%) — 7 (25%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 2 (3%) — 23 (82%)

Cornerbacks:

Desmond Trufant: 50 (86%)
Amani Oruwariye: 36 (62%) — 3 (11%)
Jeff Okudah: 26 (45%)
Justin Coleman: 17 (29%) — 9 (32%)
Mike Ford: 0 (0%) — 17 (61%)
Tony McRae: 0 (0%) — 5 (18%)

Safeties:

Duron Harmon: 58 (100%) — 11 (39%)
Jayron Kearse: 56 (97%) — 4 (14%)
Will Harris: 17 (29%) — 16 (57%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 23 (82%)
C.J. Moore: 0 (0%) — 23 (82%)

Observations:

• With no Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara’s playing time jumped up in a huge way. His 91 percent playing time was the highest of his season and third-highest of his entire career.
• Meanwhile, it was just a modest debut for Everson Griffen, who played under half of the snaps against the Vikings.
• The Lions continue to roll with Jamie Collins and Reggie Ragland as their two linebackers, further condemning the two linebackers they actually drafted (Jahlani Tavai and Jarrad Davis—although Davis is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list).
• Austin Bryant had a healthy 27 snaps in his 2020 debut, mostly on the left side as a defensive end. But it was his special teams snaps that had the most impact, notching himself a blocked punt late in the game.
• Jeff Okudah officially earned the start with Desmond Trufant at cornerback, but he suffered an ankle injury, giving more opportunities to Amani Oruwariye. Meanwhile, likely due to game situation, Detroit rarely used nickel corner Justin Coleman in an effort to bulk up and stop the run. Welp.
• Jayron Kearse became a full-time safety with no Tracy Walker in this game. And for the first time since Week 4, Will Harris played more than 10 snaps.

Special teams:

Jack Fox: 11 special teams snaps (39%)
Don Muhlbach: 7 (25%)
Matt Prater: 6 (21%)