Detroit Lions Week 6 snap count observations: Derrick Barnes, Jerry Jacobs making most of opportunities

Let’s take a closer look at the Detroit Lions Week 6 snap count in their 34-11 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Offense

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff: 63 (100%)

Running backs

D’Andre Swift: 49 (78%)
Jamaal Williams: 19 (30%)
Jason Cabinda: 2 (3%) — 18 special teams snaps (72%)
Godwin Igwebuike: 0 (0%) — 18 (72%)
Jermar Jefferson: 0 (0%) — 9 (36%)

The balance between Swift and Williams remains consistent, although you have to imagine the Lions are hoping it’ll be closer to 50/50 if they can ever find themselves ahead or close in the second half. Williams had just five touches on the day, and he’s been their most consistent player.

Rookie Jermar Jefferson made his NFL debut but was limited to just special teams snaps.

Tight ends

T.J. Hockenson: 52 (83%)
Darren Fells: 15 (24%) — 1 (4%)

Nothing new here, other than the fact that Hockenson was a clear focal point of the offense, with 11 targets coming his way.

Wide receivers

Kalif Raymond: 56 (89%) — 3 (12%)
KhaDarel Hodge: 52 (83%)
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 49 (78%) — 6 (24%)
Geronimo Allison: 13 (21%) — 15 (60%)
Tom Kennedy: 8 (13%) — 9 (36%)

As expected, KhaDarel Hodge took over as the team’s No. 2 receiver with Quintez Cephus out with injury. Hodge didn’t catch a pass in the first half, and he only had two catches for 9 yards in the entire game.

Geronimo Allison, up from the practice squad, saw some action late in the game but didn’t see any targets. Tom Kennedy was the starting kick returner and caught one late pass, but with an expanded role on special teams, he also had a costly block-in-the-back penalty on a punt return.

Offensive tackles

Matt Nelson: 63 (100%) — 1 (4%)
Penei Sewell: 63 (100%) — 1 (4%)
Will Holden: 0 (0%) — 1 (4%)

Penei Sewell was back on special teams, which is a good sign his ankle injury isn’t bothering him anymore. Of course, it was just one snap because the Lions only attempted one kick in the game.

Guards/centers

Halapoulivaati Vaitai: 63 (100%) — 1 (4%)
Jonah Jackson: 63 (100%) — 1 (4%)
Evan Brown: 63 (100%)
Logan Stenberg: 0 (0%) — 1 (4%)
Ryan McCollum: 0 (0%) — 1 (4%)

Nothing to see here. Move along.

Defense

EDGE:

Trey Flowers: 47 (65%)
Charles Harris: 46 (64%) — 5 (20%)
Julian Okwara: 33 (46%) — 12 (48%)
Austin Bryant: 26 (36%) — 12 (48%)

For the second straight week, Julian Okwara out-snapped Austin Bryant, cementing that he is likely the top reserve edge defender right now. Okwara’s 33 snaps were the most he’s had this season. He rewarded the coaches’ decision by creating a team-high three pressures to go along with a sack.

Defensive tackle

Michael Brockers: 56 (78%) — 1 (4%)
Nick Williams: 36 (50%)
Alim McNeill: 30 (42%) — 1 (4%)
John Penisini: 22 (31%) — 6 (24%)
Levi Onwuzurike: 15 (21%) — 5 (20%)

Despite coaches saying he played his best game in Week 5, Levi Onwuzurike saw just 15 snaps on Sunday. If I had to guess, this was the result of the Lions trying to beef up to stop the run. Both nose tackles—John Penisini and Alim McNeill’s—had a season-high in defensive snaps, while Nick Williams 50 percent playing time was a season-low.

Linebackers

Alex Anzalone: 72 (100%) — 6 (24%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 34 (47%) — 6 (24%)
Derrick Barnes: 32 (44%) — 3 (12%)
Anthony Pittman: 0 (0%) — 24 (96%)
Josh Woods: 0 (0%) — 18 (72%)

Anzalone’s iron streak continues, while the split between Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Derrick Barnes was as close as ever. Barnes’ 32 defensive snaps were the highest of the season, and his production followed with a career-high nine tackles and his first pass defense of the season.

Cornerbacks

Amani Oruwariye: 72 (100%) — 6 (24%)
Jerry Jacobs: 67 (93%) — 3 (12%)
AJ Parker: 49 (68%) — 6 (24%)
Bobby Price: 0 (0%) — 12 (48%)

Jerry Jacobs stood tall as the Lions’ No. 2 cornerback, who happened to shadow No. 1 Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase for much of the day. While he gave up two big plays, he held his own for most of the day, earning an 82.4 PFF grade. Meanwhile, Bobby Price has been relegated to full-time specials teams.

Worth noting that despite being activated from the practice squad, Nickell Robey-Coleman did not play at all on Sunday.

Safety

Will Harris: 61 (85%) — 9 (36%)
Tracy Walker: 61 (85%) — 9 (36%)
Dean Marlowe: 33 (46%) — 9 (36%)
C.J. Moore: 0 (%) — 18 (72%)

Dean Marlowe ate a bit into Will Harris’ playing time, but the Lions are still getting closer to operating with Harris and Walker as their two primary guys after some serious rotation earlier in the year. Detroit obviously opted for a fair amount of three safety looks in this game, as well.

Special teams

Jack Fox: 7 (28%)
Scott Daly: 7 (28%)
Austin Seibert: 4 (16%)

Never a good day when your punter out snaps your kicker.