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 the Bucs’ first win of the season, defeating the Cowboys, 24-16, on Thursday Night Football.

Bucs Offense

The Bucs are inching closer and closer to a proper rotation of the running backs. Bucky Irving had a tremendous game, rushing for 165 yards with one rushing touchdown and one receiving score. His 54% of the snaps was the second fewest he’s had this season, with the other coming in Week 3, however, that was more dictated by the Bucs needing to throw late to get back into the game.

It’s apparent that less is more with Irving, as he looked like the 2024 version of himself. Less snaps means he can stay fresh. And that leads to ripping off 72 yards like he did last night on a career-long run in the third quarter to set up Emeka Egbuka’s 14-yard end-around score.

Kenny Gainwell played 36% of the snaps and was at least involved in a couple of different ways. His four rushing attempts were the second most he’s had this season, with his five coming back in Week 1. The 18 rushing yards he recorded were the most all season. It hasn’t exactly clicked yet with Gainwell in this offense, but that doesn’t mean that they should give up on him, either. The $7 million that they’re paying also dictates it.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

We saw more of Sean Tucker on offense as his seven snaps were the most he’s played this season and were four more than the last game. His 18 rushing yards matched Gainwell’s, albeit with one more attempt. When Tucker gets into the game has been interesting. Instead of getting him going into the contest with a fresh set of downs, they will throw him in on a third-and-1 where he’s got to have it, and typically he’ll make the play.

Of course Tucker was in on the the fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line where he was stopped short. It was silly decision by Todd Bowles, as a field goal puts them up three scores. Also, Tampa Bay just isn’t good in short-yardage situations. At least the team still pulled off a victory.

The snap numbers slightly dipped for starters Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. at receiver, but really the notable difference was Ted Hurst III and Tez Johnson swapping their snap percentages. Last week, Johnson played 16% more than Hurst. This week, it was Hurst who played 7% more than Johnson. It’s been Hurst that has had more of an impact throughout the season, but Johnson had his time to shine tonight making a 64-yard catch-and-run.

Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

The Bucs went with more heavier sets this week relying on two-tight end sets and sometimes even three-tight ends. They tried this in Week 3 and it didn’t work as much, but it really paid off on Thursday night. Cade Otton was in often at 92%, while Payne Durham’s 38% was the second highest he had all season. Bauer Sharp was at his usual 6%.

It should be noted that starting left tackle Tristan Wirfs did have to miss a snap due to a cramping, and it looked like right guard Cody Mauch missed a snap, too. Justin Skule came in at tackle while Dan Feeney came in at guard, with each playing one snap.

Bucs Defense

It feels like a broken record at times, but until it’s fixed, it will continue to be beat brought up. Outside linebacker David Walker was still the fourth-most used edge rusher on Tampa Bay’s defense and I’m wondering why. The return of rookie first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. played into that as he led all outside linebackers in snaps. Yaya Diaby was second, with Al-Quadin Muhammad third. Anthony Nelson was fifth after Walker playing just four snaps, but he also dealt with an illness throughout the week.

Without a doubt Walker had the biggest impact. And if you’re saying, “Well, Diaby had an interception, how could that be?” Look who broke up the pass first that eventually allowed the ball to bounce into Diaby’s arms. That’s right, it was Walker, making a play in pass coverage.

Bain had two tackles and no quarterback hits. Muhammad didn’t register a stat in any kind of capacity. Diaby had a highlight moment with the pick, but he had just one tackle and his big play isn’t generated without Walker’s assistance.

Bucs OLB David Walker – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Walker came so close to his third sack of the season as he wrapped up Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, but couldn’t take him down. He had two tackles and one quarterback hit in the game, constantly generating pressure throughout. He still needs to play more as he’s proved to be Tampa Bay’s best pass rusher.

Snaps were relatively the same in rotation for defensive tackles and inside linebackers. A’Shawn Robinson played significantly fewer snaps, but was because of Tampa Bay playing more nickel defense as Dallas had to keep throwing in the fourth quarter.

No Antoine Winfield Jr., no problem for the Bucs’ secondary. Winfield’s replacement, Ifeatu Melifonwu, played 98% of the snaps while fellow safety Tykee Smith had a great game with four tackles and two QB hits on blitzes. Rookie nickel cornerback Keionte Scott played 73%, which tied him for the most snaps he’s played in his career having played that number in Week 1. He had a huge impact in this game blitzing and even tipping a pass at the line of scrimmage to go along with seven solo tackles, including a tackle for loss.

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish and Cowboys WR George Pickens – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Tons of credit deserves to go out to cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish as well for slowing down CeeDee Lamb and Pickens as much as they could. Pickens balled out and finished with 130 yards receiving and a touchdown, but they still did enough to stifle the Cowboys offense. McCollum played the whole game while Parrish missed two snaps. Of course, the snaps he missed were late in the game when Pickens scored a touchdown with rookie Ayden Garnes in coverage. It’s curious whether Parrish was banged up a bit or if it was by design.