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Lions’ Week 14 snap counts: LBs more involved with injuries on the EDGE

Erik Schlitt
·6 min read

The Detroit Lions entered their Week 14 matchup with the division rival Green Bay Packers with injuries at several key positions, none more so than on the EDGE.

When Lions’ interim coach Darrell Bevell took control of the roster last week, he leaned more on his EDGE rushers. But, with key EDGE players unavailable — Trey Flowers, Everson Griffen, and Julain Okwara — he, along with defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, needed to slightly alter their approach.

Bevell/Undlin turned to Austin Bryant (who was playing his first game in a month) and Kareem Martin (who was playing in his first game this season), to play the EDGE role, but several linebackers — Christian Jones, Jahlani Tavai, Reggie Ragland, and Jarrad Davis — were needed to fill in the remaining gaps.

That and more in this week’s snap count review.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Once Stafford was injured, it was pretty clear this game was out of reach, but the bigger story now is: What happens next at quarterback? It's "too early to tell" if Stafford will be available moving forward, and he is currently in "an unbelievable amount of pain", so it'll likely come down to pain management. Stafford is as tough as they come, but he's been through a lot the last three years, and the team is surely considering shutting him down. If Stafford can't go, the Lions will get a chance to see what they have in Daniel and if he is worth retaining as a backup next season. He managed the game well over his seven snaps, but settling for a field goal instead of a touchdown is on par with expectations.

Running back

Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Swift didn't get the start, and he was expected to be worked back in slowly, but at the end of the day, he saw the majority of backfield snaps, which is a great sign moving forward. Hopefully, the run game will reemerge with his presence on the field and improved health.

Wide receivers

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Jones' called incompletion was one of the more frustrating moments from yesterday, especially because the Lions were forced to stay on the field and a few plays later Stafford was injured. Cephus got the start but it was Sanu who once again saw starter-level snaps in place of the injured Kenny Golladay. Amendola and Agnew saw their snaps stay relatively steady from last week.

Tight ends

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

This continues to be a consistent distribution of snaps at the position. Hockenson's earned his heavy share of the pie and continues to build on his sophomore campaign. Bryant is still getting his feet wet, but it'd be nice to see him cut loose sometime over the last three games.

Offensive line

Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The group that started the game was able to finish it for the first time in a few weeks, which is once to see, but the right side of the offensive line would benefit from the return of Tyrell Crosby and Hal Vaitai -- who is eligible to return from IR this week. The lack of usage of Joe Dahl continues to be a mystery. When the Lions needed a sixth offensive lineman, they turned to Skipper (a practice squad elevation) instead of Dahl, which is further perplexing. Currently, the Lions are keeping two of their valuable 53-man roster spots for interior offensive linemen -- Dahl and Logan Stenberg -- who only play on special teams.

Interior defensive line

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

  • Nick Williams: 40, 60-percent

  • John Penisini: 35, 52-percent

  • Kevin Strong: 30, 45-percent

  • Da'Shawn Hand: 20, 30-percent

The Lions have been leaning harder on their defensive tackles under Bevell/Undlin, but with players like Trey Flowers unavailable to push inside, it's hard to tell if this is by design, or by default. Hand saw his first action in a month and it's clear he is still acclimating back to game action. As his snaps increase, it will likely come at the expense of Strong, who has played well since his return to the active roster.

EDGE rushers

AP Photo/Leon Halip

  • Romeo Okwara: 56, 84-percent

  • Austin Bryant: 30, 45-percent

  • Kareem Martin: 11: 16-percent

Okwara's snaps continue to be higher than under Matt Patricia, and with lack of depth opposite him, they asked Bryant (who is returning from injury and Martin (a practice squad elevation) to fill the void. Flowers has begun talking to the media, which typically happens when a player is getting set to return. Julain Okwara has been practicing for two weeks and a decision on his status will need to be made soon. And it's unknown the level of COVID exposure Everson Griffen has or how long he will be out. Meaning, it's just as likely all three could return this week, as it is all three could miss another game.

Linebackers

AP Photo/Leon Halip

  • Jamie Collins: 60, 90-percent

  • Jahlani Tavai: 41, 61-percent

  • Christian Jones: 37, 55-percent

  • Reggie Ragland: 18, 27-percent

  • Jarrad Davis: 15, 22-percent

Collins remains the top option at linebacker, and Tavai has settled in as the second option under Undlin, while Jones snaps saw a sharp increase due to the injuries on the EDGE.

Corners

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

  • Amani Oruwariye: 67, 100-percent

  • Justin Coleman: 58, 87-percent

  • Darryl Roberts: 41, 61-percent

  • Mike Ford: 24, 36-percent

Roberts was on his way to a full complement of snaps before being injured and needing to be replaced by Ford. If Roberts' injury is long-term, the Lions will need to make a roster move at this position as Desmond Trufant is still on IR for at least one more week and Jeff Okudah is reportedly headed for IR any day now.

Safeties

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

  • Duron Harmon: 67, 100-percent

  • Jayron Kearse: 49, 73-percent

  • Tracy Walker: 28, 42-percent

  • Will Harris: 10, 15-percent

This distribution has been steady for a few weeks now and nothing appears to be changing anytime soon.

Special teams

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

  • Miles Killebrew: 21

  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 21

  • Mike Ford: 19

  • Bobby Price: 16

  • Jason Cabinda: 15

  • Jamal Agnew: 14

  • Will Harris: 14

  • Romeo Okwara: 11

  • Jarrad Davis: 11

  • Jesse James: 10

  • Matt Prater: 9

  • Duron Harmon: 9

  • Jack Fox: 8

  • Christian Jones: 8

  • Don Muhlbach: 7

  • Tracy Walker: 7

  • Quintez Cephus: 6

  • Hunter Bryant: 6

  • Kerryon Johnson: 6

  • Logan Stenberg: 6

  • Joe Dahl: 6

  • Jayron Kearse: 5