Each week following every Bucs game, Pewter Report will take a close look at the snap count distribution for Tampa Bay on offense and defense. We’ll assess what we can learn from who played the most and least in the game.

Let’s get a closer look at the Bucs players who received the highest and lowest number of snaps in their disastrous 23-19 loss in embarrassing fashion to the Cleveland Browns in the home opener.

Bucs Offense

There was excitement about the return of wide receiver Jalen McMillan coming back after missing the first week, but he was merely a footnote in the game, playing just seven snaps and hardly seeing the field. By that nature, Ted Hurst III was once again WR3 for this team, playing 74% of the snaps and only had 8 fewer snaps than starters Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr.

Hurst could have been the hero of the game after the weather delay when Baker Mayfield dropped a dime to him in the end zone. But he dropped the ball and the Bucs went on to lose. Hurst needs to step his game up if he wants to continue to be heavily involved in the rotation. McMillan clearly isn’t fully ready yet if he was going to be used so little.

This is more of a Zac Robinson issue, but it’s mind boggling to see such a small impact made by Tampa Bay’s top receivers with Egbuka and Godwin even though they played 86% of the snaps. While Egbuka scored the Bucs’ only touchdown of the game, he had very little impact otherwise with three catches for 16 yards. Meanwhile, Godwin did have an impact when he did touch the ball, making three receptions for 46 yards and rushing the ball once for 12 yard gain. Maybe getting him more involved could jump start this offense.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

So much for running back Kenny Gainwell being a big factor in the offense. We’ve heard a ton this about how Bucky Irving is 1A and Gainwell is 1B on this team, but that wasn’t the case at all on Sunday. The Bucs used more pony package (two running backs on the field) this game, going from four times last week to seven times this week, which kept Irivng and Gainwell on the field together.

But outside of that, the Bucs relied heavily on Irving, who out-snapped Gainwell 51-23. To Irving’s credit, he was the Bucs’ best offensive weapon rushing for 89 yards and averaging 5.2 yards per attempt. It’s great to see him productive, but it feels like the same case as last year where they’ll overwork him and it’ll cause injuries to flare up.

Gainwell has been nothing more than a glorified decoy at this point. He had a costly drop on a third down in the red zone, causing the Bucs to kick a field goal rather than keep their drive going. His numbers have been pedestrian despite him being the highest-paid running back on this team.

Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

The Bucs barely use two tight ends, or 12 personnel, so it was all Cade Otton once again. He actually played more snaps in Week 2 but less in total percentage. At least he wore gloves and made an incredible diving catch.

Bucs Defense

Outside linebacker David Walker did more in nine snaps on Sunday than Rueben Bain Jr. has in two games. It’s harsh, but facts are facts. Walker recorded his first career sack when he finally got an opportunity on the defense side.

Yaya Diaby played the most amongst the edges at 64% with Bain not far behind at 60%. Can we get some more Walker, please?

Bucs OLBs David Walker and Al-Quadin Muhammad – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Rookie defensive back Keionte Scott actually played less percentages this week but had a big impact on a blitz that led to an A’Shawn Robinson sack. All the other DB’s played 100% of the snaps.

Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey took the lead in snaps among defensive tackles after Vita Vea had it the week before. Rakeem Nunez-Roches had a big jump all the way up to 36% while Elijah Roberts had a brief increase going from 26% last game to 29% in this one. Roberts made a huge play more than any of the other defensive tackles making an important fourth down stop.

Bucs DT Elijah Roberts – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Inside linebacker Josiah Trotter left the game with injury for a bit, giving some snaps to SirVocea Dennis. The Bucs occasionally had a package with three inside linebackers on, so Dennis is the next man up off the bench if something happens to Trotter or Alex Anzalone. Trotter still managed to play 83% while Anzalone played 100%. It was a rough go again for Anzalone, and the Bucs may need to consider making an adjustment to that personnel.