Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 4 Snap Count Observations: Xavier Nwankpa’s game-winning snap, Jalen Royals steps in for Rashee Rice
What did we learn about the Kansas City Chiefs from their Week 4 snap total against the Las Vegas Raiders?
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 to advance to 4-0 ahead of the bye week. They’re the AFC’s only undefeated team and now have sole possession of the lead in the AFC West division.
This was a grind-it-out win for Kansas City, with 60 total snaps on offense and 84 on defense. That defensive snap total reflected the Raiders winning the time-of-possession battle by about 10 minutes (35:42).
What else did we learn about Kansas City from Week 4 snap counts? Here’s how the snaps played out in Week 4, followed by some takeaways
Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 4 snap counts vs. Las Vegas Raiders
| Player & Position | Offense | Defense | Special Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. Humphrey — C | 60 (100%) | — | 4 (12%) |
| J. Moore — OL | 60 (100%) | — | 4 (12%) |
| K. Benson — T | 60 (100%) | — | 4 (12%) |
| M. Caliendo — OL | 60 (100%) | — | 4 (12%) |
| Tr. Smith — G | 60 (100%) | — | 4 (12%) |
| P. Mahomes — QB | 60 (100%) | — | — |
| T. Kelce — TE | 50 (83%) | — | — |
| X. Worthy — WR | 45 (75%) | — | 1 (3%) |
| K. Walker — RB | 45 (75%) | — | — |
| N. Gray — TE | 41 (68%) | — | 17 (53%) |
| J. Royals — WR | 38 (63%) | — | 9 (28%) |
| T. Thornton — WR | 38 (63%) | — | — |
| E. Johnson — RB | 16 (27%) | — | 18 (56%) |
| J. Briningstool — TE | 8 (13%) | — | 15 (47%) |
| R. Rice — WR | 6 (10%) | — | — |
| C. Allen — WR | 5 (8%) | — | 3 (9%) |
| H. Nourzad — OL | 2 (3%) | — | 4 (12%) |
| B. Smith — RB | 2 (3%) | — | 1 (3%) |
| B. VanSumeren — FB | 1 (2%) | — | 21 (66%) |
| K. Tonga — NT | 3 (5%) | 31 (37%) | 6 (19%) |
| N. Bolton — LB | — | 84 (100%) | 6 (19%) |
| M. Delane — CB | — | 78 (93%) | — |
| A. Gilman — S | — | 76 (90%) | — |
| G. Karlaftis — DE | — | 74 (88%) | 6 (19%) |
| N. Williams — DB | — | 70 (83%) | 7 (22%) |
| C. Jones — DT | — | 68 (81%) | — |
| C. Conner — DB | — | 63 (75%) | — |
| L. Sneed — CB | — | 63 (75%) | — |
| D. Tranquill — LB | — | 55 (65%) | 6 (19%) |
| R. Thomas — DE | — | 50 (60%) | — |
| F. Anudike-Uzomah — DE | — | 43 (51%) | — |
| A. Gillotte — DE | — | 36 (43%) | 6 (19%) |
| C. Roland-Wallace — CB | — | 29 (35%) | 21 (66%) |
| J. Hicks — DB | — | 29 (35%) | 19 (59%) |
| P. Woods — DL | — | 28 (33%) | 6 (19%) |
| J. Cochrane — LB | — | 18 (21%) | 28 (88%) |
| K. Fulton — CB | — | 16 (19%) | 15 (47%) |
| J. Bassa — LB | — | 7 (8%) | 28 (88%) |
| B. Eason — DT | — | 5 (6%) | — |
| X. Nwankpa — S | — | 1 (1%) | 22 (69%) |
| C. Christiansen — LB | — | — | 22 (69%) |
| J. Winchester — LS | — | — | 11 (34%) |
| M. Araiza — P | — | — | 11 (34%) |
| H. Butker — K | — | — | 10 (31%) |
| N. Remigio — WR | — | — | 9 (28%) |
| J. Ezeudu — OL | — | — | 4 (12%) |
How did the Chiefs adjust to WR injuries in Week 4?
When Chiefs WR Rashee Rice exited after just six offensive snaps with a hamstring injury, Jalen Royals was the primary beneficiary. He finished with 38 total offensive snaps, his highest mark in 2026. It’s good for the second-most offensive snaps he’s seen in a single game in his career. He’s the clear replacement option for Kansas City with Rice hurt.
Things weren’t as clear-cut when Tyquan Thornton left the game with injury. The Chiefs seemed to rely more on 12/13 personnel with only four healthy wide receivers. Despite Thornton’s injury, Nikko Remigio didn’t play a single offensive snap. Cyrus Allen? He only played six total offensive snaps. Keep in mind, it was late in the game, and K.C. only played six non-kneel-down offensive snaps after Thornton was hurt.
Nick Bolton is the lone defender to reach 100% snaps total on Sunday
Usually, the Chiefs have around four players who reach 100% of the defensive snap total. This week, only one player reached that amount. That was linebacker Nick Bolton, the defense’s green dot. He was on the field for all 84 of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps in Week 4. Why does this matter? Bolton’s 84 defensive snaps in Week 4 vs. the Raiders are the most snaps that he has played in a single game in his NFL career. He’s appeared in 91 NFL games, combined regular-season and postseason.
Xavier Nwankpa’s single defensive snap sealed the game
No player took advantage of his opportunity on defense like Xavier Nwankpa. His lone defensive snap in Week 4 resulted in the game-sealing interception for Kansas City. It was only the second defensive snap of the undrafted rookie’s NFL career. Nwankpa also played 22 snaps on special teams, good for the second-most among defenders.
Other Chiefs snap count observations
- R Mason Thomas set a new career high with 50 defensive snaps. It was also his best game yet.
- Chamarri Conner played 75% of the defensive snaps in his return and looked good. His knee seemed no worse with the high snap volume.
- Khyiris Tonga was back taking fullback snaps after he didn’t have any in the Week 3 win over the Dolphins. His lone carry wasn’t as successful this time around, likely because of the shotgun wrinkle.
- Bryson Eason got five snaps in Week 4. It feels like they’re using him to spell Tonga on run-stopping downs.
- Jack Cochrane played 18 defensive snaps, but it felt like Jeff Bassa started to cut into the linebacker snaps this week with 7. His impact play on special teams could lead to more opportunities on defense.
- Cole Christiansen, Josh Ezeudu, and Nikko Remigio were the only non-specialists to play special teams-only snaps on Sunday.
