Cardinals’ Week 2 defensive, ST snap counts, observations vs. Rams

A look at how the Cardinals divided their defensive and special teams snaps in Week 2 against the Rams.

In the Arizona Cardinals’ 41-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams, 23 players participated in at least one of the 52 defensive snaps and 37 played at least one of the 25 special teams snaps.

The first number after each name is snaps and the second is the percentage. Players in bold were starters.

Arizona Cardinals Week 2 defensive, special teams snap counts

Defensive linemen

Justin Jones 35/67, Roy Lopez 22/42, Bilal Nichols 21/40, L.J. Collier 20/38, Khyiris Tonga 15/29

Inactive: Dante Stills

Injured reserve: Darius Robinson (eligible to return)

The numbers weren’t there in tackles for this group, but that is often the case for interior linemen. Often, their job is to keep blockers away from the second level to create opportunities for linebackers and defensive backs. Lopez had two tackles (one solo), while Jones had a solo tackle and Nichols an assist. Collier didn’t register a tackle, but had two quarterback hits, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery.

Linebackers

ILB Kyzir White 44/85, OLB Dennis Gardeck 26/50, OLB Zaven Collins 23/44, ILB Mack Wilson Sr. 23/44, OLB Xavier Thomas 21/40, ILB Krys Barnes 20/38, ILB Owen Pappoe 16/31, OLB Julian Okwara 15/29, OLB Victor Dimukeje 11/21

Inactive: OLB Jesse Luketa

Injured reserve: BJ Ojulari

Gardeck filled the stat sheet with three sacks for 19 lost yards to go with six solo tackles, four of which were lost. He also forced a fumble on one of his sacks and had three quarterback hits. White had seven tackles (two solo), Wilson had four unassisted stops, Barnes had a sack, four tackles (one solo) with one for loss and one QB hit. Collins also had a sack, two tackles (one solo) with one for loss and a QB hit. Except for the sacks, Dimukeje had the same stat line as Collins.

Because the Rams had only 52 snaps and with the game in control, there were many snaps played by backups. Pappoe had three solo tackles and in his first game with the Cardinals, Okwara had two unassisted tackles, although he did have a 14-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.

Defensive backs

S Budda Baker 44/85, S Jalen Thompson 44/85, CB Garrett Williams 44/85, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting 44/85, CB Star Thomas V 35/67, CB Max Melton 25/48, CB Kei’Trel Clark 8/15, S Dadrion (Rabbit) Taylor-Demerson 8/15, S Joey Blount 8/15

Inactive: S Darren Hall

Injured reserve: CB Elijah Jones (eligible to return)

Baker was everywhere in the game with eight solo tackles, two for loss and one pass defensed. Most were in critical situations. Thompson had five tackles (three solo), while Thomas had four (one solo). Murphy-Bunting and Clark each had a tackle for loss. The Rams wide receivers combined for 148 yards on 11 receptions, a total buttressed on a 42-yard reception by Demarcus Robinson.

Special teams

LB Krys Barnes 17/68, LB Owen Pappoe 17/68, S Dadrion (Rabbit) Taylor-Demerson 16/64, CB Max Melton 16/64, K Matt Prater 15/60, WR Zach Pascal 15/60, RS KR DeeJay Dallas 15/60, LB Victor Dimukeje 15/60, S Joey Blount 15/60, CB Kei’Trel Clark 11/44, TE Tip Reiman 10/40, P Blake Gillikin 8/32, LS Aaron Brewer 8/32, LB Xavier Thomas 8/32, T Paris Johnson Jr. 7/28, G Evan Brown 7/28, C Hjalte Froholdt 7/28, T Kelvin Beachum 7/28, G Isaiah Adams 7/28, C/G Trystan Colon 7/28, T Jackson Barton 7/28, RB Emari Demercado 6/24, TE Elijah Higgins 4/16, RS Greg Dortch 4/16, LB Dennis Gardeck 4/16, DL Bilal Nichols 3/12, DL Roy Lopez 3/12, S Budda Baker 3/12, DL Khyiris Tonga 2/8, LB Julian Okwara 2/8, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting 2/8, CB Garrett Williams 2/8, DL Justin Jones 1/4, LB Kyzir White 1/4, LB Zaven Collins 1/4, LB Mack Wilson Sr. 1/4, CB Star Thomas V 1/4

Prater added another 50-plus-yard field goal to his ledger with one from 57, the 81st of his career. Gillikin punted once for 60 yards and Dortch had two punt returns for 30 yards with a long of 17. The coverage unit allowed a 41-yard kickoff return to open the game and after that Prater bangled seven into the end zone for touchbacks. Two players, Melton and Dallas were credited with one special-teams tackle.

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