Snap Reactions: Notes on the Seahawks’ snap counts from the Week 10 loss to the Rams

Entering Week 10, the Seattle Seahawks had health questions surrounding a few key players. Chris Carson, D.J. Fluker and Bradley McDougald were all questionable after leaving the previous week’s game through injury. For Carson and McDougald, it was a repeat of the previous week in that their bid to play came down to the day of the game.

Though Fluker and Carson would end up as inactives, McDougald started and again had a repeat of the previous week, leaving the game with the same issue he dealt with all week long. (McDougald played 68% of the defense’s snaps, though he did re-enter after initially leaving.)

The other two absences led to some interesting decisions, as well. A former second round selection was beaten out by a relative unknown to replace Fluker in the lineup, and first round pick Rashaad Penny got his largest workload of the year.

Check out the full snap counts below, before we hit on some notes of interest:

RB workload in Chris Carson’s absence

Without the Seahawks’ workhorse running back in the lineup, Davis stepped into a starting role and Penny shined. Despite the rookie impressing on nearly every touch, and showing a ceiling Davis does not have, Davis remained the go-to RB throughout the game.

Davis played 57% of the offense’s snaps, while Penny saw 40%. Penny turned his smaller playing time into 108 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while Davis—solid in his own right—converted 15 touches into 80 yards and a touchdown.

Elsewhere, C.J. Prosise returned to the game day roster and was expected to be involved, as Pete Carroll had said earlier in the week. His involvement came in the form of two snaps and a single carry, which went for a loss.

TE hierarchy

To begin the season, it looked as though Will Dissly was set to takeover Seattle’s starting tight end spot. Dissly’s season came to an abrupt end, so that role went (back) to Nick Vannett, while Ed Dickson waited to come off the NFI list.

Dickson has now been back for three games, and Vannett has remained as the team’s starting tight end. Vannett played 60% of the offense’s snaps on Sunday, compared to Dickson’s 35%.

On the topic of tight ends, George Fant playing regularly as an eligible receiver/sixth OL is just another part of the offense now. Fant played a considerable amount again, appearing for 29% of the offense’s snaps.

K.J. Wright questions

Though Wright has been back in the lineup for three weeks now, there’s still questions surrounding his health. He’s continued to appear on the injury report throughout the week, and has looked a step slower in games.

Against a fast Rams offense that stretches defenses horizontally, Wright played just 60% of the defense’s snaps. Though Carroll said after the game Wright’s “knee bothered him,” it appeared to be a strategic decision. Barkevious Mingo’s speed and range are better suited to defend against Los Angeles.

Both Wright and Bobby Wagner have been campaigning for Wright to be extended, but unless he can show he’ll be able to get back to his pre-injury level before the season is over, the Seahawks shouldn’t be committing any guaranteed money to him.

With key members of both the offense and defense hobbled, Seattle now has to turnaround on a short week, as they host the Packers on Thursday Night Football in a crucial game for both team’s wildcard hopes.