While most teams were on the same page in playing their starters sparingly in the opening week of the NFL preseason, philosophies diverged in week two. Some teams continued to rest their front-line players; others played their starters for a series or two. Still others played them for the entire first quarter and beyond. Therefore, the playing time for spring football players varied greatly during this week. The following is a collection of stats, playing time, and anecdotes from those spring football players in week two of the NFL’s preseason.
Philadelphia at New England
WR Austin Watkins (Stallions) saw third quarter playing time for the Eagles. He caught a nine-yard out route as the quarter wound down then caught another short pass on the same drive, the final play of the quarter. QB Will Grier seemed to look his way often. Watkins totaled three catches for 28 yards in playing 38% of the snaps.
It was a game to forget for TE La’Michael Pettway (Stallions): He didn’t play from scrimmage until midway through the fourth quarter and dropped a wide-open pass over the middle on his second play, about four yards past the line of scrimmage, though in his defense, it may have been too hot a throw by QB Joe Milton. Pettway frequently lined up in the slot.
It was a second straight starting assignment for DT Jeremiah Pharms, Jr. (Maulers). He mostly played right over center in the nose tackle position. Early in the second quarter, he registered a big hit on QB Kenny Pickett though Pickett got rid of the ball for a seven-yard gain. He alternated drives a bit later in the second quarter and into the third quarter. His day was done by the fourth, playing 40% of the defensive snaps and making an assisted tackle.
Interestingly, LS Tucker Addington (Gamblers) snapped on all New England punts, while incumbent LS Joe Cardona snapped on all field goal and extra point attempts. G Liam Fornadel (Defenders) entered at center with 12:52 left in the fourth quarter when Milton came in at QB. He had a bad exchange that Milton recovered. With under 2:00 to go and the Patriots near midfield down by one, a bad snap skipped back behind QB Bailey Zappe, and was recovered by the Eagles. New England is still searching for a backup center to replace the injured Jake Andrews. Fornadel had a chance to make his case here but his troubling snaps likely didn’t aid his cause.
DT Josiah Bronson (Showboats) played solely in the fourth quarter, at a 31% snap clip. He was not credited with any stats. At the New England one-yard line, Bronson created penetration into the backfield but couldn’t bring down RB Kendall Milton, who was able to score. S AJ Thomas (Stallions) entered the defensive formation with under 2:00 to go in the first half. On 3rd-and-1 early in the third quarter, he stopped RB Will Shipley, who had caught a pass out of the backfield, for no gain. He also had a tackle on special teams when a kickoff returner slipped on the turf after crossing the 20-yard line. Thomas tied for second on the team with five defensive stops in 59% of the playing time.
Atlanta at Baltimore
Having secured his spot on the roster, LS Nick Moore (Tampa Bay Vipers) snapped on all plays in Baltimore’s second preseason game.
For the second week in a row, QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) started under center. He took a few downfield shots including one to WR Keith Kirkwood for 26 yards through the air in the second quarter. Johnson played the first four series’ of game before turning the reins over to rookie Devin Leary. He finished a perfect 11-of-11 passing for 120 yards and a touchdown. Not that there seemed to be much of a question, but the backup job behind Lamar Jackson is solidly his.
OT Storm Norton (Wildcats) and TE Jordan Thomas (Stallions) both sat out Atlanta’s game with Baltimore. It’s a good sign for Norton in that they’re protecting a key reserve from potential harm, but a bad sign for Thomas who is fighting for a roster (or more likely, a practice squad) spot.
Starting at quarterback for Atlanta was QB Taylor Heinicke (Battlehawks). With Atlanta making the controversial decision to ice rookie Michael Penix, Jr. for much of the preseason, Heinicke is getting a lot of snaps. He played into the third quarter here, exiting after the first drive of the second half. He went 8-of-16 passing for 114 yards.
Both starting safeties for Atlanta have spring football ties: S Micah Abernathy (Gamblers) and S Lukas Denis (Battlehawks). Abernathy was also on the return teams and was first-team gunner on punt coverage. He too played into the second half, though was replaced at times in the second quarter by S Tre Tarpley III (Maulers). Abernathy had two tackles on 53% of defensive snaps and 23% of special teams snaps. Denis’s best play was coming off the edge on a 3rd-and-1 run blitz to make the stop for a loss. He notched four tackles, two for a loss. He took advantage of his time on the field in which he played every defensive snap and 55% on special teams.
Tarpley played 47% of snaps on defense as Abernathy’s backup, also getting in on 23% of the special teams snaps. He was part of the run-stop party, also making a tackle for loss, this one inside the 10-yard line. In total, he had four defensive tackles and another two on teams. WR Chris Blair (Defenders) had another impressive outing and is elbowing his way into a roster spot. Blair started and was targeted on the first drive, getting a 3rd-and-11 pass knocked away by Jalyn Armour-Davis.
His first reception was a gain of 23 when he was wide open in the flat on a check-down. He caught another pass, wide open again, this time down the field on a deep over route for 32 yards. Just before the two-minute warning, Blair received a 13-yard pass for a first down. His final catch came in the third quarter on a deep crossing route for 28 yards. He finished with four receptions for 91 yards, playing 41% of the offensive snaps and another four on special teams. For his part, Blair was named to Pro Football Focus’s Preseason Week 2 Team of the Week.
On the defensive line, DT LaCale London (Battlehawks) started and had a pressure that led to an Emory Jones scramble into a teammate’s sack. He played 46% of the snaps but was held off the stat sheet. Fellow DT Prince Emili (Brahmas) came in on the second drive of the game. He had one assisted tackle on 39% of defensive snaps. Recent signing LB Storey Jackson (Renegades) was eased into action with just two special teams snaps, none on defense.
Once again, OT Julien Davenport (Brahmas) drew the start at left tackle. He played 59% of the snaps, while his third quarter replacement, OT Jaryd Jones-Smith (Battlehawks), played the other 41% at LT. After playing left guard last week, OT Barry Wesley (Dragons) first entered the game at right guard on the second drive of the third quarter, then moved to right tackle. He played exactly half the game.
Cincinnati at Chicago
For the second straight week, DT Domenique Davis (Gamblers) was held out due to injury. The rest of Cincinnati’s spring football signings all entered the game in the third quarter. DT Carlos Davis (Stallions) began the quarter in the middle. He was part of a defensive line that was frequently moved off the line of scrimmage in the run game by Chicago’s offensive line.
CB Nate Brooks (Panthers) also came on in the third quarter, playing the rest of the way. His one snap of note was giving up a big gainer when beaten by Chicago WR Freddie Swain late in the game. WR Hakeem Butler (Battlehawks) saw a couple snaps early in the second half but came in for good late in the third quarter when Rocky Lombardi debuted at QB. A downpour started as the fourth quarter began, limiting downfield passing opportunities.
Chicago played its starters and second-string players longer than most teams this weekend. For players further down the depth chart like LB Javin White (Panthers), playing time was harder to come by. His defensive time began with three minutes left in the third quarter. He made two tackles early in the run game, alternating series’ with other reserves the rest of the way
New York Giants at Houston
Lined up alongside the second team defensive line, DT Khalil Davis (Stallions) was brought in during the first quarter and showed effectiveness in the run game. He was credited with two tackles in playing 38% of defensive snaps.
DE Malik Fisher (Defenders) came in early in the second quarter with some of the second-teamers. He was whistled for an offsides on 3rd-and-2. He was taken off the field and didn’t come in again for a while. One of the Texans television broadcasters noted that Fisher had a “really solid training camp.” He rushed a lot from the old wide-nine formation in a four-point stance. Late in the game, DE Solomon Byrd forced a fumble on the QB, a fumble which Fisher recovered. He played on 40% of the defensive snaps and added four snaps on special teams as well.
The grip on the starting job may be slipping for LS Scott Daly (New York Guardians). Several outlets are projecting that rookie Hogan Hatten will make the team over him. Hatten once again started, while Daly snapped in the second half.
WR Kaden Davis (Panthers) picked up the start for Detroit. QB Nate Sudfeld went to him on third down early in the second quarter but Davis wasn’t looking for the pass as he ran over the middle, though the pass was behind him anyway. Davis had a 61-yard second quarter TD catch and run – he caught the pass about 10 yards past the line of scrimmage over the middle then out-angled the defenders up the sideline and into the end zone. When Davis was in, he manned the slot, frequently running routes over the middle. He also rotated in as kick returner, taking back the opening kick of the second half for 19 yards. He played on punt coverage, too. Davis finished with two catches for 64 yards, second on the team in targets, in 42% of the snaps (28% on special teams). He had one tackle as well.
Adding to the downfield fun was WR Maurice Alexander (Stars). Alexander was in near the end of the first half as Detroit was in hurry-up, four-receiver mode. They tried a WR screen to him but it was batted down. In the third quarter, he caught a long pass from QB Hendon Hooker on a 4th-and-1. Alexander tallied two catches for 40 yards on 40% of the snaps. Notably, he did not play special teams.
The highlight reels once again featured K Jake Bates (Panthers). He banged one in from long distance, good from 55 yards. He did later miss an extra point, but came back to connect on three more kicks, including the game-winner from 43 with two seconds remaining.
Bates’s Michigan teammate, G Jacob Burton (Panthers), was one of four offensive linemen to play 52% of the snaps. He opened the second half at right guard, part of a complete line change. He played the entirety of the half.
Minnesota at Cleveland
Held out again for precautionary reasons, G Michael Dunn (Dragons) was on the inactive list for the Browns. G Zack Johnson (Stallions), on the other hand, was very active: He began the second half at center and played the rest of the way in relief of new old Cleveland center, Nick Harris, acquired to give the team depth there after they lost Luke Wypler due to injury in the week one game. Johnson ended up playing 59% of the total offensive snaps.
Brought back this week after being waived following the first game, LS Rex Sunahara (Brahmas) again snapped on all punts and kicks with regular snapper Charley Hughlett still nursing an injury. On the Minnesota side, DE Jalen Redmond (Renegades) saw early action on a long first defensive drive. He played in every quarter, amounting to 50% of the snaps. He failed to put up any stats, however.
WR Lucky Jackson (Defenders) handled punt returns most of the way for the Vikings. His first return was fielded at the three-yard line, gaining 12. He returned two for 25 yards in total. On offense, he came in on the third drive near the end of the first quarter. Jackson was targeted just once on 38% of the snaps.
Signed mere days before this game due to the season-ending injury to rookie first round pick JJ McCarthy, QB Matt Corral (Stallions) was thrown into the deep end of the pool for one real drive (a second drive consisted solely of kneel-downs). On his only pass attempt, backed up deep in his own zone, Corral was strip/sacked in the end zone for a safety as he tried to elude pressure.
New York Jets at Carolina
With four defensive linemen inactive, DT Bruce Hector (Renegades) was picked to start for the Jets. He played 64% of the snaps across all four quarters, making two tackles, one of which was a tackle for loss on a stretch toss in the third quarter, beating the block of LG Ike Boettger to make the play on the back.
Continuing to make strides toward the 53-man roster, G Kohl Levao (Brahmas) started at left guard. He was the only Jets offensive player to participate in every offensive snap. In the second half, he was often matched up against another UFL alumnus, DT Walter Palmore. Throughout the game, Levao was forced to handle much bigger defensive tackles, and showed well.
This game was an opportunity used by the Jets to look at their potential number three quarterbacks. UDFA Andrew Peasley started the game and played the first half. QB Adrian Martinez (Stallions) was brought in for the entire second half. Peasley led the team to three points – Martinez led the team to nine. He had a really bad overthrow on third down, missing a wide-open Tyler Harrell in the middle of the field, which turned into an interception by Demani Richardson (it looked like Martinez may have expected Harrell to sit down on the route and he instead kept going over the middle). His best throw may have been keeping a play alive by flushing all the way to the sideline to his right, hitting Lance McCutcheon for 24 yards, all after he was facemasked earlier in the play. His final stats: 7-of-17 passing for 67 yards and one rush for four yards.
WR Brandon Smith (Defenders) was the first of two UFL receivers to make an impact, entering the game with Martinez to start the second half. He also played on kick coverage. Smith caught a nice 3rd-and-6 throw from Martinez right at the sticks for a first down as New York bled the clock in the fourth quarter. Smith had two catches for 11 yards in 31% of offensive snaps (21% on special teams). WR Isaiah Winstead (Renegades) once again played fewer snaps than Smith (16%) and was targeted once with no catches.
For Carolina, DE LaBryan Ray (Stars) was inactive for the second straight contest. DT Walter Palmore (Panthers) saw action in the second half. His most impressive play may have been one that didn’t appear on the stat sheet: He ran about 20 yards downfield to be near the tackle of TE Anthony Firkser, who caught a short pass from Martinez and ran for a sizable gain. For someone of Palmore’s size, that kind of hustle is worthy of a shout-out. He played 44% of snaps, had four assisted tackles and he knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage.
Washington at Miami
S Elijah Campbell (Defenders) started at safety and laid the lumber on WR Dyami Brown on the second play of the game. The big hits didn’t end there as he walloped a punt returner as soon as he caught the ball for no gain but was called for a helmet-to-helmet hit. Campbell also appeared on kick coverage late in the first half. On defense, he played the first four series’ of the game, good for 38% of the defensive snaps to go with 33% of special teams snaps. Campbell tallied two defensive tackles and two special teams tackles.
New Dolphins LB Wyatt Ray (Brahmas) opened the second half at left defensive end with his hand on the ground. He also rushed from a two-point stance. Ray played special teams on punt coverage and punt return as well. In a UFL Championship rematch, he faced OT Alex Taylor (Stallions) for a couple of snaps. Ray rarely left the field in the second half. Ray ended the game with one tackle, a quarterback hit, 52% of defensive snaps and 41% of special teams snaps. Taylor played left tackle in the fourth quarter, for 35% of the snaps.
WR Martavis Bryant (Vegas Vipers) played 31% of Commanders offensive snaps, though only one target came his way. He did not play on special teams. WR Davion Davis (Stallions) did: 22% of them, in fact. He also played 29% of offensive snaps. Davis was one of two starting kick returners and made a tackle on coverage. On offense, he led the team with four receptions, totaling only 20 yards.
Buffalo at Pittsburgh
With Buffalo facing a backup QB crisis, QB Ben DiNucci (Sea Dragons) was brought in last week after being released by Denver earlier in the off-season. DiNucci entered the game with 1:33 to go in the second quarter. He played with some immediate backups on offense. There was some controversy as QB Josh Allen was supposed to play the first quarter, but he ended up not playing at all. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady called mostly run plays while DiNucci was in, owing to the fact that Big Ben likely hadn’t had a chance to fully grasp the playbook to that point. He completed three passes on five attempts for 20 yards, playing 54% of the snaps.
Another spring football player signed by the Bills last week was WR Deon Cain (Stallions). He didn’t get the same kind of opportunity as DiNucci: He played just two snaps on special teams, none on offense. LS Christian Kuntz (Renegades) has smooth sailing to the regular season, expertly snapping on all longer-than-normal snaps in this game.
RB Aaron Shampklin (Gamblers) got to play with number two QB Justin Fields near the end of the first half. He split time in the backfield with Daijun Edwards and La’Mical Perine. Shampklin ran four times for 15 yards (3.8 average) on 19% of the offensive snaps. On his second team this preseason, CB Kiondre Thomas (Roughnecks) came on with three minutes to go in the game, making a tackle on his first play, a run play by Frank Gore, Jr. Nine snaps was all that he played.
Dallas at Las Vegas
Picking up where he left off last season, K Brandon Aubrey (Stallions) connected from 54 yards after the first drive. His subsequent kickoff went out of bounds, bringing it out to the 40-yard line. You could tell he was working on directional kickoffs because the first one was perfect, into the corner at the one yard-line. Then, before halftime, Aubrey put through a 66-yarder which, had this been the regular season, would’ve tied the NFL record for longest field goal.
Dallas was one of the teams to bench many of its starters for this game. CB Josh Butler (Panthers) therefore started and played against the Vegas starters. Butler made two tackles, played on 46% of the snaps, and was done at halftime. WR Kavontae Turpin (Generals) was one of those starters, or important contributors, to be held out by the Cowboys.
LB Willie Harvey, Jr. (Battlehawks) was also featured in the starting lineup. On a 4th-and-3 on the first drive of the game, Harvey got his hands on a pass and while it should’ve been an interception, it was at least a turnover on downs. Harvey played 42% of the snaps which accounted for all drives in the first half but the final one. He finished with two tackles on the day.
On short notice, C Cohl Cabral (Panthers) was thrust into Dallas’s offensive line at right guard midway through the fourth quarter after signing earlier that week. He played well enough in 27% of the offensive snaps to make PFF’s Team of the Week.
WR Kelvin Harmon (Defenders) was on the punt return team in the first quarter. He appeared on offense in the second half along with WR Deontay Burnett (Renegades). Harmon showed strong hands on an in-breaking route as the defender got his hands in there as well but Harmon caught it and ran a few steps for first down. He had two catches for 18 yards on 18% of the snaps and 20% on special teams. Burnett was on the kickoff return team in the second half. He played 37% of offensive snaps, matching Harmon’s 20% on special teams.
Seattle at Tennessee
In an effort to secure the number three QB duties, QB PJ Walker (Roughnecks) had a bit of a rough outing. Sam Howell played the first half, with Walker playing the second. He was 4-of-8 passing for 38 yards, helming four drives, with only one leading to points and only one covering more than four plays. After playing just five snaps in the opener, WR Ty Scott (Defenders) experienced similar numbers in week two, getting onto the field for three offensive snaps. He made a tackle on one of two special teams snaps.
The Chargers started two tight ends, and TE Donald Parham (Renegades) was not one of them. He played in the first quarter though, so he came in not long after them. Parham led Charger tight ends playing 35% of snaps. He was not targeted in the pass game.
As the Rams were in hurry-up mode with about a minute to go in the first half, CB Matt Hankins (Stallions) was credited with three straight tackles on three straight plays (although on the last one, he didn’t even touch the player, they just ran out of bounds right in front of him). He played on 62% of snaps and over half of special teams snaps, tying for the team lead with five tackles.
All of a sudden, QB Luis Perez (Renegades) has a real opportunity to earn a job with the Chargers. His main competition, Easton Stick, played the first half, while Perez took the second. Max Duggan did not play and was later released. Perez had some talent on the field with him, playing with the likes of WRs Quentin Johnston and DJ Chark. It was obvious that Perez doesn’t have the mobility of Stick, which could be a factor in LA’s decision at the position. He lost fumble on a third down sack on his second drive. Perez led only one scoring drive, a field goal, while Stick had two; but he had only one turnover compared to two for Stick. Neither pulled ahead in the competition here. Perez finished 13-of-20 for 78 yards.
OT Matt Kaskey (Stallions) played on the field goal protection unit. On offense, he came in at left tackle midway through the fourth quarter, on the same drive as C Alec Lindstrom (Showboats). Both played nine snaps on the day, while Kaskey added three on special teams. Lindstrom got beaten badly by DT Teair Tart on a 2nd-and-1 run loss as the Rams tried to run out the clock approaching the two-minute warning.
Arizona at Indianapolis
WR DJ Montgomery (Panthers) started in the slot for Indianapolis. He lost a pass off his hands over the middle on a dig route on the second drive. He also had a long completion down the sideline from QB Jason Bean negated due to a holding penalty. Bean went for it again a few plays later, aiming for Montgomery, but was picked off. Montgomery also showed good willingness and blocking skills on the perimeter. He played only the first half, competing on 39% of the snaps, catching one pass for six yards on three targets. CB Delonte Hood (Renegades) appeared to be a healthy scratch for Arizona after coming aboard that week.
Tampa Bay at Jacksonville
In his second year with the Buccaneers, DT CJ Brewer (Roughnecks) relieved some of his linemates on a 17-play Jacksonville drive in the first quarter, playing against Jaguars primary backups on offense. Brewer drew a hold from rookie OL Javon Foster in the second quarter. Brewer got a reprieve in the fourth quarter after playing 50% of the snaps to that point with two tackles.
TE Sal Cannella (Renegades) only saw offensive playing time with under five minutes left. He played on two drives as Tampa was in comeback mode, so he was the target on lots of underneath throws. Cannella saw five targets in those two drives, snaring two balls for 16 yards on 30% of total offensive snaps.
Despite a late start in camp, DE Breeland Speaks (Panthers) has come on strong in two preseason games for Jacksonville. He entered midway through the second quarter, playing right defensive end. Speaks sacked QB John Wolford on the first play of the first fourth quarter drive for Tampa, faking outside and beating LT Lorenz Metz to the inside. “He’s going to find a way to be around…he’s a really good player” said Jaguars TV announcer Bucky Brooks. Speaks played 25% of the snaps.
Green Bay at Denver
WR Michael Bandy (Roughnecks) first saw the field on offense midway through the third quarter. He fielded punts late in the third quarter. In the fourth, he was the recipient of a 22-yard catch-and-run pass from QB Zach Wilson. On the play, he found himself wide open after making a move on the defender from the slot. It was Bandy’s sole reception on 18% of the snaps. Once again, LS Mitchell Fraboni (Maulers) performed all long snapping duties.
LB Dondrea Tillman (Stallions) was revealed to be on longtime Broncos beat reporter Mike Klis’s final 53-man roster prediction during the broadcast. He entered with about five minutes left in the third quarter, playing stand-up edge rusher. He tripped up RB Emanuel Wilson in the backfield on an athletic play for a loss of one yard. Surprisingly, he made a great stop in the open field on a kickoff return as well, one of his two special teams tackles. Tillman played 27% of defensive snaps and 57% on special teams.
Three Green Bay running backs were inactive and three were active. One of those active was RB Nate McCrary (Panthers). McCrary was third in line to get snaps, starting with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. He was fed the ball often on his first series, going catch, run, catch and run, the final one resulting in him getting stuffed on 4th down. He finished with three carries for 11 yards and two catches for four yards on five snaps.
The one big play made by DE Zach Morton (Brahmas) came late in the third quarter for Green Bay, just after he entered the game: He sacked Zach Wilson for a safety on the third play of the drive. Morton stunted inside and there was no one to take him. He got away with a facemask on the play, too. It was one of seven snaps he played on defense.
It was a good day for P Daniel Whelan (Defenders): His first punt traveled 54 yards and probably should’ve been downed inside the 10, but bounced into the end zone for a touchback. He drew a roughing the kicker penalty on his second punt to keep the Packers drive alive. A nice 49-yard punt was downed at the 11 on his third attempt. His fourth punt was also a good one, landing inside the 20 without much of a return.
New Orleans at San Francisco
WR Kevin Austin, Jr. (Stallions) got work on the first drive of the third quarter. He couldn’t haul in a low throw from QB Spencer Rattler on 3rd-and-long; it would’ve been short of the first down anyway. Later on, he was wide open on a broken play with QB Jake Haener on the run but Haener overthrew him. Austin finally got on the board with a comeback route to convert a 4th down doing well to grab the errant pass. He played 40% of offensive snaps. WR Samson Nacua (Panthers) was one of two kick returners back in the fourth quarter. He played 10 total snaps on offense, and the kick return was his only snap on special teams.
Both DT Jack Heflin (Roughnecks) and DE Niko Lalos (Sea Dragons) came in on the same drive, with about five minutes left in the third. Heflin also played some DE in the Saints’ four-man front. Heflin had one tackle on 22% of snaps, while Lalos had a quarterback hit on 32% of snaps. A third New Orleans defender, LB Mike Rose (Battlehawks), played on first team punt return and punt coverage early in the game. On defense, he debuted on the first drive of the third quarter, wearing the green dot on his helmet, signifying that he would be the one relaying the plays to the rest of the defense. He was still on punt coverage into the fourth quarter. Rose played 42% of defensive snaps, 83% on special teams. He had three tackles on defense, one on special teams.
After playing just one snap on offense in week one, WR Jontre Kirklin (Brahmas) played exclusively on special teams in his two total snaps for the 49ers. DE Jonathan Garvin (Stallions) started the second defensive series for San Fran in the third quarter. He played right defensive end, getting his hands on Rattler to slow him down, allowing Jaelan Graham to snare him for a sack. Garvin registered two tackles on 29% of snaps.
