Eagles vs. Titans snap count analysis: Avonte Maddox gets playing time at a new position

Here’s a breakdown of the snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ 26-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 4 of the 2018 NFL season.

OFFENSE

Brandon Brooks had to come out for a play after suffering some kind of lower body injury. As is the case with Jason Kelce, he was clearly playing at less than 100%.

Nelson Agholor basically played the whole game and only had five receptions for 22 yards. He dropped four passes in total, two of which would’ve gone for first down conversions. He also fumbled. It was a bad day for the Eagles’ 2015 first-round pick. It was also a bad time to have a bad day.

The Eagles eased Alshon Jeffery, who has been dealing with an illness, back into the lineup a little bit. Jeffery was a super efficient target for Carson Wentz. Jeffery caught eight of his nine targets for 105 yards (13.1 average) and one touchdown. Great to have him back moving forward.

Jordan Matthews played a good deal as the number three receiver but he was only targeted three times. His sole reception was a 56-yard touchdown where Malcolm Butler forgot to cover him. JMatt dropped a wide open pass later in the game right before the play where Wentz got strip-sacked.

Despite dealing with a fractured back, Jay Ajayi saw the most snaps of any Eagles running back. He had 15 carries for 70 yards as a runner and three receptions for 11 yards as a receiver. Tough dude.

Wendell Smallwood contributed with five carries for 39 yards on the ground. He had three receptions for 15 yards.

With Jeffery back, Dallas Goedert’s playing time dropped from 67% last week to 40% this week. The rookie tight end was targeted two times and had two receptions for 13 yards. He also drew a pass interference penalty at one point.

It’s good to see Kamar Aiken and Joshua Perkins getting a lot less playing time.

Shelton Gibson tripled his offensive playing time from last week.

Josh Adams got in for a snap early in the game but didn’t play at all after that. The Eagles play-faked a handoff to him.

DEFENSE

With Rodney McLeod out, 33-year-old Corey Graham was forced to play 100% of the defensive snaps. Including the one where he allowed Taywan Taylor to be uncovered for an easy 4th-and-15 conversion with the game on the line.

Derek Barnett saw the most snaps of any defensive end. Brandon Graham played the second most this week after getting outsnapped by Chris Long and Michael Bennett last week. Maybe Bennett should’ve seen more time considering how good he was looking early on.

McLeod’s absence forced the Eagles to play rookie corner Avonte Maddox back at safety. Maddox told reporters he’s never played safety in a game prior to Sunday. Not ideal.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Deiondre’ Hall didn’t receive any defensive reps despite the fact the Eagles are now without McLeod. The Eagles had Maddox, who has never played safety before, getting playing time ahead of him.

Also no defensive snaps for Rasul Douglas despite the fact the corners on the Eagles’ depth chart ahead of him have struggled.

DeAndre Carter made the most of his limited playing time by taking one of his two punt returns for 42 yards. That play gave the Eagles a chance to tie the game and go into overtime. It’s worth keeping Carter active as a punt returner until Darren Sproles is back, at least.

DID NOT PLAY

INACTIVE: Corey Clement, Darren Sproles, Josh Sweat, Nate Sudfeld, Matt Pryor, Jordan Mailata, Chance Warmack

ACTIVE: Nick Foles