The Arizona Cardinals played 57 offensive snaps on Thursday in their 28-25 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. How was the playing time divided up and what can we learn from it?
Quarterback
Kyler Murray, 57
He has only missed three snaps all season. Those three were against the Saints in the final minutes when things got out of hand with the score. He did not line up to take every single snap, though. On one snap it was to be a direct snap to receiver Pharoh Cooper.
Running back
Kenyan Drake, 48; Alfred Morris, 3; Zach Zenner, 1
What is interesting about these numbers is that it does not equal 57 total snaps, which means on five plays the Cardinals had no running backs at all. They have done that a few times this year. They will line up with five wide. Four are receivers and one is a tight end. They have also had all five as wide receivers before, too.
Wide receiver
Christian Kirk, 55; Larry Fitzgerald, 54; KeeSean Johnson, 25; Pharoh Cooper, 17; Andy Isabella, 13; Trent Sherfield, 3
Damiere Byrd was inactive on Thursday. The Cardinals seem to be using their tight ends more. Fitz and Kirk are almost always on the field. After that, it is more of a rotation of guys.
Tight end
Maxx Williams, 42; Charles Clay, 24
Darrell Daniels did not play on offense this week. These numbers are usually more evenly distributed between Williams and Clay. Williams is consistently getting more snaps when there is a difference.
Offensive line
Mason Cole, 57; A.Q. Shipley, 57; J.R. Sweezy, 57; Justin Pugh, 57; D>J. Humphries, 55; Joshua Miles, 2
Humphries missed two snaps, the first two snaps he has missed all season. Miles played for him. Pugh started at right tackle, as Justin Murray was unable to play. Mason Cole played left guard.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
