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 horrifying 23-16 loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings to drop to 0-3 on the season and also have Baker Mayfield get injured. 

Bucs Offense

Somehow, despite being his third career NFL game, rookie wider receiver Ted Hurst III led all wideouts with 52 snaps, having one more than Emeka Egbuka and nine more than Chris Godwin Jr. Hurst is a high-upside prospect for the Bucs, and he had a big moment in the game, scoring the first touchdown of his career on a 40-yard catch. But it’s a little mind boggling that he would play more than the 2025 first-round pick Egbuka.

Fellow receiver Jalen McMillan got injured and was out for the game on the opening drive, so maybe this altered the plans of the snap usage for other players. Hurst had the splash play, but Egbuka was the top producer for Tampa Bay with five catches for 62 yards on nine targets.

Godwin’s big play was negated by penalty, so he didn’t factor in much with 25 yards on three catches. Finding ways to get the ball to receivers has been a struggle for the Bucs early this season.

Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Ted Hurst III – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Looking on paper, it would appear that running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell played a similar amount at 36 and 32 snaps, respectively. But context is important with this. Irving was far out-snapping Gainwell throughout the game until the fourth quarter arrived and Irving had some padding on his back as he stood on the sideline. With the Bucs needing to throw the ball, Gainwell was the primary back.

It wasn’t actually evened out with the two backs, more just circumstance. The Bucs rely on Irving heavy, but they may run him into the ground. Gainwell is the highest-paid back on the team and is seldom used. Oh, by the way, Sean Tucker had one snap.

Bucs RBs Kenny Gainwell, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There was a lot more tight end usage in this game. Tampa Bay tried to combat the aggressive blitzing nature of the Vikings with more two tight end sets to have extra blockers. This gave Payne Durham a lot more playing time, as they put him with Cade Otton. They put Durham in the backfield from time to time as well trying to protect Baker Mayfield.

Ultimately, it didn’t work as Mayfield was sacked six times and injured in the game late, putting Jalon Daniels in. Otton played 94% of the snaps, while Durham played a season high 55%.

Bucs Defense

Todd Bowles said that they were going to rotate inside linebackers SirVocea Dennis and Christian Rozeboom with Josiah Trotter out, and he stuck to his word. Dennis was in for 27 snaps, while Rozeboom played three more at 30. It was a good outing for the linebackers overall, as even Alex Anzalone had a solid game.

Bucs ILB Christian Rozeboom – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

With Rueben Bain Jr. out at outside linebacker, it was actually Al-Quadin Muhammad who played the most of all the edge rushers with a whopping 71%, followed by Yaya Diaby at 68% and then both Anthony Nelson and David Walker playing 32%. The defense had their best outing of the season as a unit, and two of those sacks came from this position with Nelson and Walker. That’s two staright games with a sack for Walker, and yet he can’t see field more.

The Bucs leaned on Vita Vea a lot more on Sunday as his numbers shot up to 81% compared to 62% a week ago. Calijah Kancey was close to his usual playing amount, as was A’Shawn Robinson and Elijah Roberts. It was the season debut for Elijah Simmons, who played nine snaps and made the most of it with two tackles and a tackle for loss in the game.

Bucs DTs Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Cornerback Jacob Parrish returned to the lineup and immediately got back his starting role. He played all 59 snaps while Benjamin Morrison only played one snap. Despite  Parrish falling on the Jordan Addison touchdown, the Bucs have gotten good play from their corners, with their top three in Parrish, Morrison and Zyon McCollum all playing significant roles.