Due to the short week, Monday means a snap count analysis along with the initial injury report… plus a Dan Campbell presser. I’m currently in a short airport layover, so apologies if I’m curt.
Analyzing the Week 1 snap counts is always interesting because coaches’ actions in the game speak louder than all the positive hype they have been bestowing upon players throughout training camp. Here are my takeaways:
Lions Week 1 Snap Count Analysis
Defense:
Aidan Hutchinson was at 83%. This is a great start as far as lowering his snap counts from last year’s excessive 91%. My target recommendation was 70-82%, so Hutch is close to that range. Here was my reasoning from earlier…
The defense was on the field a lot in Week 1. While Hutchinson’s percentage was lower, his absolute number of 75 snaps was only topped twice last season.
Skyler Gill-Howard (52%) got more snaps than Tyleik Williams (39%). It’s possible this was due to the fact that the Saints were in a lot of passing situations throughout the game, as they were trailing a lot. It’s also quite possible that the Lions just really like SGH.
Thomas Harper (60%) got more snaps than Chuck Clark (46%). Clark started the game, but Harper got more snaps. A brief injury is a possibility, but I didn’t see any injury to Clark during the game, and he played until the end of overtime.
Offense:
Jahmyr Gibbs got 74% of snaps which is reasonable, but almost 100% of touches with 29 carries and 5 receptions. Jacob Saylors, who looked great in preseason, didn’t even get a single offensive snap. Sione Vaki played a decent amount (29%), but only got 2 carries and 1 reception. The Lions must do a better job of spreading around the touches going forward if they hope to have Gibbs healthy all season. I do understand that many non-touch snaps require the RB to take on blitzing defenders which isn’t a safe task either.
Sam LaPorta got 81% of snaps, while Wright played a substantial 51%. Last year, LaPorta averaged 91% in the games he played. With LaPorta’s disc issue, it will be interesting to track his snap counts over the season.
Lions Week 2 Initial Injury Report
🔴Bad news or high concern
🟡Uncertain or moderately concerning
🟢Good news or low concern
🟡Christian Mahogany, LG - Hip
Projection: Out. Potential RTP in 2-3wk.
The hip listing is interesting as he left game with knee injury. Keep in mind that teams are not required to list every body part that is injured on a player (unless it’s Frank Ragnow). This is excellent news for the knee as he avoided a major LCL/PLC sprain or a significant bone bruise.
As many of you on X pointed out, he was slow getting up on the prior play. I reviewed that play along with all his earlier plays and didn’t see anything obvious for hip. A hip flexor strain that he sustained early in the game is a possibility.
Dan Campbell today stated: “I don't think this is something serious, long-term."
🟡Blake Miller, RT - Knee
Projection: Toss-up for Thursday
Miller played 100% of game so the knee could be minor. But the NP designation does raise concern. I did not see a specific knee injury on my first watch of the game. As you saw on my postgame injury report, Miller was rolled up on which was concerning for an ankle sprain, but can also injure the MCL.
If this was indeed the play of injury, it doesn’t look too bad for the MCL. But, you never know.
Dan Campbell today stated that Miller has a chance to play on Thursday, which is very reassuring that it is not a serious injury.
🟢Juice Scruggs, C - Knee
Projection: In
I did not see an injury during game and Scruggs played 100% of snaps. All this, along with the LP designation, is reassuring that the knee injury is not serious.
🟢Christian Izien, S - Groin
Projection: In
An FP for Izien means he is ready to go. He’ll get 10 days of recovery after the Thursday game. His presence should help out a safety group that may have gotten fatigued on Sunday.
Dan Campbell Updates
🔴Isiah Pacheco, RB, had surgery for his back and “it’s going to be a while.” As feared, this back injury ended up being serious. I would not expect him to return this season.
Update on Pacheco:
