Cardinals’ Week 2 defensive snap counts and observations

In the Arizona Cardinals’ 34-33 Week 2 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, they played 61 defensive snaps. How was that playing time divided up?

Below, we go through each individual player’s playing time for each position group, as well as observations about the playing time.

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Defensive line

Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Watt, 55; Zach Allen, 38; Corey Peter, 26; Rashard Lawrence, 21; Michael Dogbe, 8; Leki Fotu, 3

Watt ended up playing 90% of the snaps, which is not the plan they have for him. Fotu interestingly only played three snaps. Kliff Kingsbury said it was about how the game went, but that seems extra low. Allen was invisible in his 38 snaps.

Outside linebacker

Chandler Jones, 61; Markus Golden, 48; Kylie Fitts, 2

With no Devon Kennard, who missed the game with a hamstring injury, they actually used Isaiah Simmons a lot as an outside backer.

Inside linebacker

Jordan Hicks, 59; Isaiah Simmons, 50; Zaven Collins, 25

Watching the game live, it felt like Simmons was not in the game that much and that Collins was. As mentioned previously, Simmons was used part as an outside linebacker, rushing off the edge with Devon Kennard out.

Cornerback

Byron Murphy, 61; Robert Alford, 48; Antonio Hamilton, 31; Marco Wilson, 15

Wilson injured his ankle and left, giving Hamilton playing time.

Safety

Budda Baker, 61; Jalen Thompson, 57; Deionte Thompson, 1

Thompson came in for one play during the Vikings final drive. The Cardinals had three safeties in the game at that time.

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