Detroit Lions Week 2 snap counts: What the hell is going on with Tracy Walker?

Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 2 snap counts against the Green Bay Packers.

Offense

Quarterbacks:

Matthew Stafford: 59 (100%)

Running backs:

D’Andre Swift: 20 (34%)
Kerryon Johnson: 19 (32%)
Adrian Peterson: 15 (25%)
Jason Cabinda: 12 (20%) — 18 special teams snaps (60%)
Ty Johnson: 5 (8%) — 12 (40%)

Tight ends:

T.J. Hockenson: 41 (69%)
Jesse James: 30 (51%) — 12 (40%)

Wide receivers:

Marvin Jones Jr.: 53 (90%)
Quintez Cephus: 39 (66%) — 8 (27%)
Danny Amendola: 33 (56%)
Marvin Hall: 17 (29%)
Jamal Agnew: 9 (15%) — 11 (37%)

Offensive tackles:

Tyrell Crosby: 59 (100%) — 4 (13%)
Taylor Decker: 59 (100%)
Matt Nelson: 2 (3%) — 4 (13%)

Guards/centers

Frank Ragnow: 59 (100%) — 4 (13%)
Jonah Jackson: 59 (100%) — 4 (13%)
Oday Aboushi: 59 (100%) — 4 (13%)
Kenny Wiggins: 0 (0%) — 4 (13%)

Observations:

• The participation report was almost identical to last week. The only real differences came at running back and offensive line.
• At running back, Kerryon Johnson got a nice little bump in playing time, and he used it effectively. After struggling in Week 1, Johnson bounced back nicely with 32 yards and a score on eight carries. Still, Adrian Peterson out-rushed him (41 yards) on fewer carries (seven) and fewer snaps.
• There was no rotation on the offensive line, but with Joe Dahl out, Oday Aboushi stepped in at left guard and played every snap. Taylor Decker continues to sit out special teams.

Defense:

Defensive end:

Romeo Okwara: 44 (60%) — 13 (43%)
Trey Flowers: 43 (59%) — 7 (23%)

Defensive tackle:

Danny Shelton: 46 (63%) — 6 (20%)
Da’Shawn Hand: 46 (63%) — 6 (20%)
John Penisini: 18 (25%)
Kevin Strong: 13 (18%)

Linebackers:

Jahlani Tavai: 59 (81%) — 5 (17%)
Jamie Collins Sr.: 56 (77%) — 7 (23%)
Christian Jones: 46 (63%) — 12 (40%)
Jarrad Davis: 46 (63%) — 1 (3%)
Reggie Ragland: 31 (42%) — 9 (30%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 0 (0%) — 26 (87%)
Elijah Lee: 0 (0%) — 19 (63%)

Cornerbacks:

Amani Oruwariye: 73 (100%) — 6 (20%)
Jeff Okudah: 73 (100%)
Darryl Roberts: 48 (66%)
Tony McRae: 0 (0%) — 18 (60%)
Dee Virgin: 0 (0%) — 12 (40%)

Safeties:

Duron Harmon: 73 (100%) — 8 (27%)
Will Harris: 49 (67%) — 13 (43%)
Tracy Walker: 39 (53%) — 6 (20%)
Miles Killebrew: 0 (0%) — 26 (87%)
C.J. Moore: 0 (0%) — 19 (63%)

Observations:

• There are some downright puzzling—if not, infuriating—choices here on defense. Let’s start with the most egregious. Tracy Walker played in just 53 percent of snaps, while Will Harris—who has been much, much, much worse on the field—was out there 67 percent of the time. I’ll admit, I scoffed it off when Harris was repping ahead of Walker in training camp, but this is real. The Lions are playing Harris over Walker right now, and there is no rationale for such a move. It’s puzzling. It’s maddening. And it’s very clearly hurting the team.
• Just as inexplicable is the fact that Romeo Okwara played more than the $90 million man himself, Trey Flowers. Tracy Walker and Trey Flowers are probably the two best defenders the Lions have, and 12 Lions players played more defensive snaps than both of them. Excuse me?
• As expected, with Julian Okwara a healthy scratch (why? Don’t know), Reggie Ragland saw a big bump in snaps.
• Jeff Okudah played in every single snap of that awful defensive performance. Welcome to the Lions, buddy.
• Jarrad Davis’ snap-count demotion appears to be a real thing. After playing in just 54 percent of snaps last week, he was only up to 63 percent this week. Prior to this season, he was regularly repping 80 to 90 percent of the time.
• With Nick Williams out, Lions rookie John Penisini saw a nice increase in playing time.

Special teams:

Jack Fox: 13 special teams snaps (43%)
Don Muhlbach: 9 (30%)
Matt Prater: 4 (13%)