Detroit Lions Week 11 snap counts: Jameson Williams’ role continues to grow

For the first three-and-a-half quarters, it was a full team effort for the Detroit Lions to fall behind the Chicago Bears. But for those final four minutes of the game, it was an equally strong effort to erase a 12-point deficit and come out with the win.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Lions used their personnel on both sides of the ball in our Week 11 snap counts.

Offense

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff: 62 (100%)
Teddy Bridgewater: N/A

Another week, another victory formation kneel down from Goff.

Running backs

Jahmyr Gibbs: 35 (56%)
David Montgomery: 25 (40%)
Craig Reynolds: 2 (3%) — 15 special teams snaps (58%)
(FB) Malcolm Rodriguez: 6 (10%) — 17 (65%)

For the second straight week, Jahmyr Gibbs outsnapped David Montgomery, even if it was Montgomery who got the technical start on Sunday. Both players were equally effective in their play. Both found the end zone and managed nearly identical yardage totals (Gibbs: 95 yards; Montgomery: 98 yards).

While Craig Reynolds had a critical fumble, it was good to see him bounce back and get back on the field after going to the locker room with an unspecified injury.

Tight ends

Sam LaPorta: 53 (85%) — 1 (4%)
Brock Wright: 24 (39%) — 13 (50%)
James Mitchell: 6 (10%) — 1 (38%)

The tight end usage remains one of the most consistent units on the team. The only minor change this week was less Brock Wright, and that likely had to do with Detroit playing from behind for most of the second half.

Wide receivers

Amon-Ra St. Brown: 57 (92%) — 1 (4%)
Josh Reynolds: 45 (73%)
Jameson Williams: 40 (65%)
Kalif Raymond: 13 (21%) — 3 (12%)
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 3 (5%) — 7 (27%)
Antoine Green: INACTIVE

The rise of Jameson Williams continues. After cracking the 50% mark for the first time last week, Williams jumped up another level against the Bears. Williams is not just seeing the field more, but he’s in on critical downs. Two-minute drill, third downs, game-winning drives, Williams is on the field for all of it, and the production is slowly coming, too. The Lions’ win doesn’t happen without his 32-yard touchdown catch.

“He’s been accepted,” coach Dan Campbell said after the game. “And the way he works and the way he goes and he blocks and he’s starting to run some pretty good routes and he’s making some catches and there’s a lot of guys that are beginning to trust him, and that’s been earned.”

Donovan Peoples-Jones’ debut came at the expense of Antoine Green’s spot on the gameday roster. The Lions are clearly easing Peoples-Jones into the offensive lineup, and there’s really no rush considering the rest of the group is still producing.

Offensive line

Taylor Decker: 62 (100%)
Frank Ragnow: 62 (100%)
Graham Glasgow: 62 (100%) — 3 (12%)
Penei Sewell: 62 (100%) — 3 (12%)
Colby Sorsdal: 62 (100%) — 3 (12%)
Dan Skipper: 1 (2%) — 3 (12%)
Kayode Awosika: 0 (0%) — 3 (12%)
Connor Galvin: DNP (active)
Jonah Jackson: RULED OUT

Rookie Colby Sorsdal stepped in for Jonah Jackson at left guard in the starting lineup, and held his own. It wasn’t a perfect day for Sorsdal, but it’s worth pointing out that he has the trust of the coaching staff to start ahead of veteran Kayode Awosika. Beyond that, this is already the third position Sorsdal has played this season—filling in at right tackle in Week 3, and starting at right guard against the Raiders.

Despite getting called up from the practice squad, Connor Galvin was just a spectator.

Defense

EDGE:

Aidan Hutchinson: 69 (92%)
John Cominsky: 37 (49%) — 6 (23%)
Josh Paschal: 26 (35%)
Charles Harris: 13 (17%) — 6 (23%)
Julian Okwara: 12 (16%) — 8 (31%)
Romeo Okwara: 12 (16%)

After seeing an increased role last week, the Lions scaled Josh Paschal’s role down a bit, favoring John Cominsky opposite Aidan Hutchinson for most snaps. The rest of the edge rotation continues to be a mixing and matching, while Detroit searches for productive pass rushers and edge setters.

Unfortunately, the group continues to underwhelm overall. Hutchinson was the only edge defender to notch a quarterback hit, while the Okwara brothers and Harris combined for a collective one tackle.

DT:

Alim McNeill: 54 (72%) — 6 (23%)
Benito Jones: 50 (67%) — 9 (35%)
Quinton Bohanna: 26 (35%)
Isaiah Buggs: RULED OUT
Brodric Martin: INACTIVE
Levi Onwuzurike: INACTIVE

With Buggs sidelined due to illness, the Lions opted not to give the opportunity to rookie Brodric Martin. Instead, they promoted Quinton Bohanna from the practice squad, who actually produced in a somewhat significant role. Bohanna had a key tackle for loss and added another regular tackle for good measure.

Meanwhile, with the Lions only carrying three defensive tackles on the gameday roster, Benito Jones saw a significant bump in playing time. The trio was key in stopping the Bears’ traditional run game, holding the Bears’ backs to just 79 yards on 28 carries (2.8 YPC).

Linebackers

Alex Anzalone: 75 (100%)
Derrick Barnes: 71 (95%) — 7 (27%)
Jack Campbell: 46 (61%) — 10 (38%)
(LB) Malcolm Rodriguez: 1 (1%) — 17 (65%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 1 (1%) — 23 (88%)
Anthony Pittman: 0 (0%) — 22 (85%)

The Lions continue to utilize three linebacker sets more than they did earlier in the year, and it made sense against a run-heavy offense in Chicago. Interestingly, though, it was Derrick Barnes who took back the bigger role on defense from rookie Jack Campbell, who struggled mightily early in the game against the Bears.

Cornerbacks

Brian Branch: 74 (99%) — 6 (23%)
Cam Sutton: 74 (99%)
Jerry Jacobs: 74 (99%)
Will Harris: 1 (1%) — 17 (65%)
Khalil Dorsey: 0 (0%) — 23 (88%)
Chase Lucas: 0 (0%) — 17 (65%)
Steven Gilmore: INACTIVE

Branch continues to split his time between cornerback and safety... and truly linebacker, as well. Here’s how PFF split his snaps on Sunday:

• 16 at the defensive line
• 16 as a box safety/linebacker
• 30 as a slot cornerback
• 5 as a wide corner
• 7 as a free safety

He was both literally and figuratively all over the field, as his three tackles for loss led the team, he had one of two team passes defended, and he even added one of the Lions’ four quarterback hits on the day.

Safety

Kerby Joseph: 74 (99%) — 5 (19%)
Tracy Walker: 35 (47%) — 6 (23%)
Ifeatu Melifonwu: 0 (0%) — 15 (58%)

With Branch’s versatility and Chicago’s run-heavy offense, the Lions opted to run with one deep safety early and often. That meant less playing time for Tracy Walker, whose 47% participation rate was his lowest since taking over C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s role.

Special teams

Jack Fox: 10 (38%)
Jake McQuaide: 5 (19%)
Riley Patterson: 3 (12%)

Jack Fox continues to hold onto kickoff duties.