Ravens Snap Count Analysis, Week 1: Wide Receiver Shuffling Amidst Injuries

The Baltimore Ravens were victorious in the season opener yesterday, defeating the Indianapolis Colts in a 41-23 win. Here is a breakdown of the team’s player snap counts on offense and defense.

Offense

• QB: Lamar Jackson 68
• RB: Derrick Henry 37, Justice Hill 31
• WR: Rashod Bateman 53, Ja’Kobi Lane 27, Chris Moore 20, LaJohntay Wester 20, Zay Flowers 20
• TE: Mark Andrews 49, Durham Smythe 42, Matthew Hibner 23, Josh Cuevas 6
• OL: Ronnie Stanley 68, John Simpson 68, Jovaughn Gwyn 68, Vega Ioane 68, Roger Rosengarten 68, Carson Vinson 7

Jackson and the starting offensive line played all 68 snaps. Backup offensive tackle Carson Vinson saw seven snaps as an extra blocker in jumbo formations. In the backfield, Derrick Henry played just over half of the team’s offensive snaps and rushed for 144 yards with three touchdowns on 20 attempts. Justice Hill played 31 snaps and received seven touches in total.

The snap counts at wide receiver are the biggest notable story. With Devontez Walker inactive due to an ankle injury, the Ravens suffered two more injuries at the position. Zay Flowers played 20 snaps in the first half before exiting with a hamstring injury, totaling 150 yards and a touchdown on five catches. Likewise, Ja’Kobi Lane was sidelined for the rest of the game after he too left early with a wrist ailment following 27 snaps. Lane’s first NFL touchdown catch was called back due to a penalty.

With both players sidelined, Chris Moore and LaJohntay Wester took on elevated roles, each playing 20 offensive snaps. Moore had a long 53-yard catch and Wester caught two passes, in addition to both players’ duties as primary returners on special teams. Rashod Bateman started the game and played all but one snap, however he was targeted only once with no catches.

Mark Andrews unsurprisingly led the tight end room with 49 snaps, catching four passes on six targets. Veteran Durham Smythe played 42 snaps as a primary blocker. Matthew Hibner is clearly third in the pecking order ahead of Josh Cuevas, out-snapping his fellow rookie 23 to six. Hibner caught one pass for 13 yards.

Defense

• DL: Travis Jones 31, Calais Campbell 29, Broderick Washington 21, John Jenkins 13, Aeneas Peebles 10
• EDGE: Tavius Robinson 44, Trey Hendrickson 40, Mike Green 17, Zion Young 12
• ILB: Roquan Smith 54, Trenton Simpson 32
• CB: Nate Wiggins 54, Marlon Humphrey 48, Keyon Martin 23, Chidobe Awuzie 6
• S: Kyle Hamilton 54, Malaki Starks 54, Jaylinn Hawkins 52

All five of the Ravens’ defensive lineman saw 10+ snaps in this game as Nnami Madubuike’s return to action awaits. Travis Jones led the way with 31 snaps, closely followed by fellow veterans Calais Campbell (29) and Broderick Washington (21). John Jenkins and Aeneas Peebles combined to play 23 snaps.

Tavius Robinson (44) and Trey Hendrickson (40) had a commanding snap share on the edge. Robinson had four quarterback hits and a sack, while Hendrickson was charted for eight pressures. Mike Green only played 17 snaps as the third banana, while rookie Zion Young’s debut saw him on the field for 12 defensive plays. Roquan Smith played every defensive snap and had a starring performance with an interception and team-high 11 tackles. Next to him, Trenton Simpson played 32 snaps and drew the start in the absence of Teddye Buchanan once again.

Nate Wiggins did not leave the field and had a pass breakup in his 54 snaps. Marlon Humphrey’s 48 snaps were productive, as the veteran forced a fumble and had a key pass knockdown on a deep attempt in single coverage. Nickel corner Keyon Martin’s 23 snaps were third-most at the position. Surprisingly, Chidobe Awuzie only played six defensive snaps. T.J. Tampa suffered a knee injury and did not return to the game.

The Ravens’ trio of safeties were on the field together for all but two plays where Jaylinn Hawkins was relieved. Hamilton and Starks each played 54 snaps. Hawkins occupying a near every-down role likely explains the lack of significant snaps for Martin and Awuzie at cornerback.