Observations from Week 8 Miami Dolphins Snap Count

What’s special about the play-by-play in the Miami Dolphins’ 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium?

Let’s start with the inactive list, highlighted by three defensive backs out due to injury: DT Zach Zieler (eye), CB Kader Kohou (neck) and CB Storm Duck (ankle). Also inactive were LB Mohamed Kamara, TE Tanner Conner, RB Jeff Wilson Jr. and OL Andrew Meyer.

Cornerback Cam Smith, the team’s first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was active for the first time this season after being activated from injured reserve earlier in the week.

Every active player, including Neil Farrell, who was released to the training squad, and newcomer Matt Overtonsaw action in the game with the exception of backup guard Skylar Thompson.

Eight players played only on special teams: Kendall Lamm, Lester Cotton, Patrick Paul, Elijah Campbell, Channing Tindall, Anthony Walker Jr., Quinton Bell and Ethan Bonner.

The team’s offensive output was nearly identical, with Arizona’s 66 to Miami’s 65.

What stands out on offense is Jonnu Smith dominating the snaps at tight end, in part because Julian Hill temporarily left the game with a shoulder injury before returning. Smith played 43 snaps, compared to 21 for Hill and 19 for Durham Smythe, who remains the forgotten man on offense.

At running back, the margin between De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert was smaller than last week in Indianapolis – it was 38 to 30 for Achane this week – but it remains a little unclear how little Jalen Wright is being used. considering how good he looks every time he touches the ball. Against the Cardinals, Wright made three offensive snaps, two of which went for runs of 12 and 6 yards.

At wide receiver, we’ll have to wonder what’s going on with Odell Beckham Jr. because he only played 11 snaps against the Cardinals, the same number as he did against the Colts last week. And yes, he’s still waiting for his first catch with the Dolphins. Yeees.

Malik Washington is the one with the third-most snaps at wide receiver, but with only 16, well behind Tyreek Hill’s 57 and Jaylen Waddle’s 56.

Alec Ingold played 27 snaps at cornerback for the second straight game, even as the Dolphins’ rushing attempts increased from 40 to 25.

The Dolphins’ 62 defensive snaps featured four players on the field: linebacker Jordyn Brooks and three secondary players in Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller and Jordan Poyer.

Jevon Holland and Marcus Maye split 66 snaps at safety opposite Poyer, with Holland taking 17 snaps before leaving the game with a knee injury. The Dolphins had never used three safeties on the field before Holland was injured.

Linebacker David Long Jr. approached 100 percent participation, finishing the game with 64 defensive snaps.

With Zach Sieler missing the game with an eye injury, Da’Shaun Hand saw his playing time increase dramatically. He played 55 of 66 defensive snaps, easily surpassing his previous season high of 37.

As expected, veteran Calais Campbell’s game numbers have jumped a little since Sieler’s departure, but not dramatically (because it can’t be too much considering he’s 38 years old). Campbell played 43 defensive snaps, six more than his previous high of 37.

Campbell lined up in the defensive line on several occasions, limiting the playing time of the full-backs. Rookie first-round pick Chop Robinson played 36 defensive snaps and Emmanuel Ogbah 42.

Benito Jones also played a larger role, playing 44 snaps, 12 more than his career high from the previous season.

In his first appearance of the season, Cam Smith played 35 defensive snaps, lining up with Ramsey playing in the slot.

We round out special teams, where Siran Neal and Quinton Bell tied for the snap lead for the sixth time in seven games, this time with 21 each. Duke Riley was next with 20. With Conner inactive and Hill nursing a shoulder injury, Malik Washington led all offensive players in special teams snaps with 15, followed by Smythe with 12.