Sunday’s 24-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys was a frustrating afternoon for the Detroit Lions and the long-suffering fan base. The Lions did at least try to change things up personnel-wise in Dallas.
Some of the changes were forced by injuries, and those are prominently reflected in the snap counts. Take wide receiver, where top wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown was forced from the game after just 10 snaps due to concussion protocols. St. Brown rarely leaves the field when healthy.
With fellow starter Josh Reynolds limited with a knee injury, Kalif Raymond topped all Lions WRs in snaps. Raymond played on 53 of the team’s 60 offensive reps. Reynolds played 47, while Tom Kennedy saw 30.
The starting offensive line played the entire game together, with Evan Brown staying put at right guard. Dan Skipper saw eight reps as an extra tackle. Rookie TE James Mitchell played six snaps, the most he’s seen all season. Mitchell has yet to draw a passing target in three games.
On defense, the rookies played extensively. Safety Kerby Joseph was one of two iron men who played all 63 snaps, joined by CB Amani Oruwariye, who was a healthy scratch in the last Lions game. Aidan Hutchinson played 56, a very high figure for a pass rusher.
Rookie DT Josh Paschal was on the field for 56 as well in his NFL debut. With Michael Brockers a healthy scratch, the Lions’ intentions with Paschal were obvious. John Cominsky returned from his wrist surgery to play just 10.
Cornerback Jerry Jacobs was only on the field for one play in his 2022 debut, and he was flagged for pass interference on the rep. Tough start for No. 39 in his return from knee surgery. Linebacker Chris Board, who had been on the field for about 25 percent of defensive snaps this season, only played on special teams vs. Dallas.