Each week after every Bucs game, we’ll take a closer look at the snap count distribution for the Tampa Bay offense and defense. We’ll assess what we can learn from who played the most and least from the game.

Here is a closer view of of which players received the most and least amount of snaps in the Bucs’ 41-31 loss on Sunday night against the Chiefs in Week 4.

Bucs Offense

Heading into the game it was all about the return of the Bucs’ three stars at wide receiver. It was a productive return for two out of the three, as Mike Evans recorded eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns, while Chris Godwin made seven catches for 59 yards after missing two weeks. Evans played in 58 of 64 snaps, which was 91% of the time and the most by any skill position player. Godwin wasn’t far behind with 53 snaps and could have had even more if he didn’t get hurt later in the game. It looked like Tampa Bay didn’t ease him back in at all.

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

The third receiver who was coming back, Julio Jones, didn’t have much of an impact on the game. He was on the field for 18 snaps, good for 28% on the evening. Jones made just one catch for seven yards, which was surprising given the number of players that left the game. Russell Gage was involved on 64% of the snaps before he exited with his own injury. Jaleon Darden and Cole Beasley combined for 10 snaps total with six snaps and four snaps, respectively.

Cade Otton led the way for the Bucs at tight end with 43 snaps. That was third-highest for skill position players, only trailing Evans and Godwin. A lot of that had to do with the concussion to Cam Brate, who slammed head first into Godwin after making a catch early in the second half.

All week long the Bucs coaches talked about getting rookie running back Rachaad White involved. They stuck to their word this time, as White was played 24 snaps to Leonard Fournette’s 39. Although White started the game brutally with a fumble on the opening kickoff, he was efficient on offense in the passing game with five receptions for 50 yards. This kept Fournette fresh late in the game and both players were rewarded with a touchdown.

Bucs Defense 

Injuries didn’t just hit the offense, they impacted the defense as well. Logan Ryan was out early with a foot injury, giving him only nine snaps. That put Keanu Neal in an extended role as participated in 46 out of a possible 80 snaps. The fact that the Bucs had to be on the field for 80 snaps just speaks to how much they struggled to stop the Chiefs.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Bucs CB Carlton Davis III and OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The other big injury was cornerback Carlton Davis III in the second half. Davis is typically one of the players that doesn’t take off and is in for 100% of the snaps. He made it to 75% and was replaced by Sean Murphy-Bunting in his absence for 22 plays. Murphy-Bunting was criticized for a sub-par preseason, but he picked off Patrick Mahomes on Sunday night in his first snaps on defense.

Defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. and linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White all played 100% of the snaps again, while cornerback Jamel Dean played one less at 99%. It was status quo for much of the other rotations at outside linebacker and defensive tackle. Carl Nassib and Anthony Nelson both recorded a sack when Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka couldn’t.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Will Gholston and Logan Hall all played right around their usual snap averages. Nose tackle Vita Vea saw an increase, going from 63% last week to 71% on Sunday night. It was a rough game entirely for the defensive line, who were pushed back often at the line of scrimmage and allowed 189 rushing yards. Very uncharacteristic of that group.