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Eagles snap counts: Jalyx Hunt sees significant time vs. Cowboys

Vaseline November 11, 2024

Eagles snap counts: Jalyx Hunt sees significant time vs. Cowboys originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ARLINGTON, Texas – Entering Sunday’s game at North Texas, rookie third-round pick Jalyx Hunt had played just 17 total defensive snaps all season.

He more than doubled his season total in one game.

Hunt played 25 defensive snaps against the Cowboys and many of them came before the Eagles began pulling their starters in the fourth quarter of their 34-6 win at AT&T Stadium.

Hunt even saw the field Sunday before Bryce Huff, who is still dealing with a wrist injury that has limited his big-money free agent acquisitions.

Here’s how the edge rusher snaps shake out: Josh Sweat 37 snaps (62%), Hunt 25 (42%), Brandon Graham 22 (37%), Nolan Smith 22 (37%), Huff 12 snaps (20%) .

Obviously, the Eagles pulled their starters and veterans late in Sunday’s game, but Hunt’s expanded role wasn’t solely due to that. On Wednesday, head coach Nick Sirianni was asked about Huff’s role moving forward and brought up Hunt on his own.

“I think these four guys all did a good job,” Sirianni said. “Then we will see that Jalyx also comes into the mix. I think he did well in training to be able to go.”

It’ll be worth keeping an eye on Hunt and Huff’s usage for the rest of the season. There’s a chance Hunt remains part of the rotation if he gives the Eagles some juice. He did that against the Cowboys when he had a good rush that culminated in a batted pass that was almost picked off by Nakobe Dean.

Other defensive comments

• Veteran cornerback Darius Slay played 24 of 60 defensive snaps after suffering an ankle injury on the third play of the game when he broke up a pass. Slay was in and out of the lineup as Isaiah Rodgers (36 snaps) continued to fill in for him. Slay has been solid this season when healthy, but he has dealt with knee, groin and now an ankle injuries. Slay had his ankle wrapped after the game and said he would be fine, but it’s a quick turnaround for a Thursday night game.

• No defensive player played all 60 snaps, but CJ Gardner-Johnson came closest. He played 57 of 60, followed by Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell and Reed Blankenship, who each played 52.

• Mitchell and DeJean played well in their 52 snaps. According to NFL NextGen Stats, they each gave up just two receptions on a total of nine targets.

• At linebacker, Zack Baun played 51 snaps (85%), while Nakobe Dean played 44 (73%). Baun filled up the stat sheet with 8 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 TFL and 1 fumble recovery.

• Among defensive tackles, Jalen Carter led the way with 43 snaps (72%), followed by Moro Ojomo with 27 snaps (45%), Milton Williams with 27 snaps (45%), Jordan Davis with 21 snaps (35%) and Thomas Booker with 7 snaps (12%)

• The Eagles had a chance to empty their bench late, so Oren Burks played 14 snaps, while Kelee Ringo, Sydney Brown and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. got 8 each.

Offensive comments

• The Eagles were able to get their starters back early in the fourth quarter, which is a nice boost for a Thursday Night Football game against the Commanders, who had to battle and take a loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

• The only starters to play all 68 offensive snaps were Fred Johnson and Mekhi Becton. Teams just don’t have enough backup offensive linemen on game day to rest everyone.

• Jalen Hurts, Cam Jurgens, Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson played 54 of 68 snaps, while Kenny Pickett, Tyler Steen, Nick Gates and Jack Driscoll played the remaining 14 snaps in the fourth quarter.

• Saquon Barkley only had to play 35 of 68 snaps and had just 15 touches. That’s important if you’re concerned about his workload. Barkley had 78 yards on those touches. Kenny Gainwell played 22 snaps, while Will Shipley got 11.

• Dallas Goedert returned after a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury and scored a touchdown in the second quarter. He led the way for tight ends, playing 43 snaps, but Grant Calcaterra was right behind him with 42 and Jack Stoll played 17.

• At wideout AJ Brown had a quiet 109-yard performance, with another catch for over 40 yards. He played 50 snaps, followed by DeVonta Smith (49), Jahan Dotson (30), Johnny Wilson (18) and Ainias Smith (18).

• After going through the NFL’s concussion protocol within a week, Ben VanSumeren was active and played 5 plays on offense and didn’t see the field on defense. He is still used in that role as a lead blocker.