Miami Dolphins Week 8 Snap Count Observations

What stood out in terms of the number of plays in the Miami Dolphins’ 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium?

We’ll start with the inactive list, which includes three defensive players out with injuries: DT Zach Sieler (eye), CB Kader Kohou (neck) and CB Storm Duck (ankle). LB Mohamed Kamara, TE Tanner Conner, RB Jeff Wilson, Jr. were also inactive. 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 this week.

Every active player, including the practice squad, raises the level of Neil Farrell and newcomer Matt Overtonthere was action in the game except for backup quarterback Skylar Thompson.

Eight players contributed 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 play was almost identical – Arizona had 66 and Miami had 65.

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

At running back, the gap 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 bit surprising how little Jaylen Wright is used considering attention to how good he looks every time he touches the ball. Against the Cardinals, Wright played three offensive snaps and two of them went for 12 and 6 yards.

For the wide receiver, we’ll have to start asking what’s going on with Odell Beckham Jr., as he only played 11 snaps against the Cardinals, which is the same as last week against the Colts. And yes, he’s still waiting for his first catch with the Dolphins. Yes.

Malik Washington has the third-most snaps from a wide receiver, but he only has 16, far behind Tyreek Hill’s 57 and Jaylen Waddle’s 56.

Alec Ingold logged 27 snaps at linebacker for the second straight game, even as the Dolphins’ offensive attempts increased from 40 to 25.

Four players were on the field for all 62 of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps: linebacker Jordyn Brooks and three starters on the secondary — Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller and Jordan Poyer.

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

Linebacker David Long Jr. he was close to 100 percent commitment, finishing the game with 64 defensive snaps.

With Zach Sieler missing the game with an eye injury, Da’Shawn Hand saw his playing time really increase. He played 55 of 66 defensive snaps, easily breaking his previous season record of 37.

As expected, veteran Calais Campbell’s number of games played increased slightly after Sieler’s departure, but not dramatically (as it can’t be too high considering he is 38 years old). Campbell played 43 defensive snaps, six more than his previous record of 37.

Campbell lined up defensively several times, limiting edge defenders’ playing time. Rookie first-round draft pick Chop Robinson logged 36 defensive snaps and Emmanuel Ogbah 42.

Nose tackle Benito Jones also played a bigger role with 44 snaps, 12 more than his best mark last season.

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

We close with special teams, with Siran Neal and Quinton Bell quickly taking the lead for the sixth time in seven games, this time with 21 points. Next was Duke Riley with 20. Conner was inactive and Hill was dealing with a shoulder injury, Malik Washington led all offensive players in special teams snaps with 15, and Smythe was next with 12.