Chiefs snap counts, Week 14: Willie Gay plays few snaps in Damien Wilson’s absence

What can we learn from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 14 snap counts?

The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins game in Week 14 brought some interesting new snap trends to the table. Injuries heading into the game and occurring during the game raise some new questions for the Chiefs. The team also utilized a veteran player, seldom used on offense anymore. So what can we learn about the snap totals from Week 14?

Here’s a look at how the snaps worked out this week:

*Snap counts via NFL Game Statistics and Information System

Observations

  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire played in nearly 75% of the offensive snaps for the Chiefs in Week 14 after not playing a single snap the week prior. He didn’t look any worse for wear after he lost 10 pounds due to an illness. In fact, he recorded his most targets in the passing game since Week 5 and his most receptions since Week 3.
  • Mike Remmers played just 38 snaps before exiting the game with a back injury. The severity of the injury is unclear, but Andy Reid confirmed the injury after the game. Back injuries are never a good thing for an offensive lineman. Mitchell Schwartz, of course, is on injured reserve due to a back injury.
  • Replacing Remmers was UDFA rookie OT Yasir Durant. He played in 24 snaps and had up and down moments. He’s basically what would be the teams’ fourth option at RT at this point, so it’s hard to expect much.
  • Mecole Hardman played less than 20 offensive snaps on Sunday. His fumble in the third quarter certainly didn’t help his cause to see the field more often.
  • Anthony Sherman saw the most offensive snaps he’s seen since Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. He played in five snaps but didn’t do much more than block for Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell in the running game. He had a chance to haul in a nice pass from Mahomes but dropped it.
  • Bell and Darrel Williams played a combined 16 total snaps after essentially splitting carries the week prior. It seems like the team wanted to try and get Edwards-Helaire in a groove early.
  • Ben Niemann played 90% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps, filling in for Damien Wilson in the process. Everyone expected the team to take an extended look at Willie Gay Jr. in Wilson’s absence, but he played just 17 defensive snaps on the day. Disappointing to say the least.
  • Rashad Fenton played 39 defensive snaps on the day. He shifted into the slot when Charvarius Ward went out with injury.
  • Mike Danna had an impressive day on just 39 defensive snaps, the fewest of any Chiefs defensive end. He earned recognition as our Defensive Player of the Game with one sack, three tackles-for-loss and four total tackles.
  • Armani Watts and Antonio Hamilton played the most special teams snaps on the day with 28.
  • Darius Harris played 11 snaps on special teams in his Chiefs debut and had one of the key blocks on Mecole Hardman’s punt return touchdown.
  • Stefen Wisniewski took his first snaps with the Chiefs since 2019, playing five snaps on special teams in his 2020 debut.

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