Chiefs' Week 15 snap counts reveal disturbing trend developing with Kansas City's star DT Chris Jones
The Kansas City Chiefs escaped Cleveland with a 21-7 victory over the Browns, but it came at a cost. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered what is being described as a mild high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the game, and his status is now in doubt after being described as week-to-week. That wasn't exactly […]
The Kansas City Chiefs escaped Cleveland with a 21-7 victory over the Browns, but it came at a cost.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered what is being described as a mild high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the game, and his status is now in doubt after being described as week-to-week. That wasn't exactly the only troubling development in Week 15, though. Chiefs DT Chris Jones has only twice played a higher percentage of the team's defensive snaps than he did against the Browns on Sunday.
What else can we learn about the win from the snaps? Here’s a look at how the snaps came down in Week 15:
Snap counts via NFL Game Stats Information System
Chris Jones playing a record number of snaps for the Chiefs defense
Jones is the engine that makes the Chiefs' defense go, but he's also being worked extremely hard. He's played 83% of the total defensive snaps in the 2024 NFL season, which is already the highest rate of his career with three games left to go. He was asked about this just a week ago, ahead of the "Sunday Night Football" game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
"You know what? Joe (Cullen) does a heck of a job trying to watch the reps," Jones told reporters. "In the first half, he was on a heck of a pace. And you know, sometimes the game transitions to where I have to be out there more than we plan for, and that's just part of it."
Jones doesn't have a problem being on the field—he made that crystal clear. His presence also doesn't negatively impact the defense, as he led the team in pressure in Cleveland and contributed to multiple sacks of Jameis Winston. However, you have to worry about the number of snaps and longevity at some point. Yes, the Chiefs are paying him a metric ton, but it won't matter if he gets worn down in the process. He expected the snap count to ease up a little bit entering this three-game stretch. Instead, he had 94% of the team's total defensive snaps in Week 15.
Xavier Worthy, Jaden Hicks continue to thrive
A week ago, we highlighted career-high snap totals on offense and defense, respectively, from rookies Xavier Worthy and Jaden Hicks. Both rookies, once again, set new career highs in snap totals during Week 15. Worthy played 61 total snaps on offense, the most of any skill player not named Travis Kelce. Worthy led the team in receptions (6), targets (11) and receiving yardage (46). He also had three carries for 30 yards and a touchdown.
As for Hicks, he played 41 total defensive snaps. He notched three total tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass defended, but most importantly he had the interception that sealed the victory for Kansas City.
While the 47-yard return was impressive, the rookie will likely be hearing from the defensive coaching staff on that one. The smart play at the moment is to go down, bleed out the clock, and win the game. It was Hicks' second-career reception and further proves what Steve Spagnuolo said last week about Hicks earning more opportunities.
Chris Roland-Wallace is next-man-up for Chamarri Conner
Chiefs CB Chamarri Conner suffered a concussion in the Week 15 win over the Browns. With the short week to prepare, the expectation currently is that Conner might miss the upcoming game against the Houston Texans in Week 16. Conner was replaced in the game by UDFA DB Chris Roland-Wallace, who played 17 defensive snaps in his absence. Roland-Wallace recorded five total tackles (in a four-way tie for the most on the defense) and had one tackle for loss. Expect more opportunities for Roland-Wallace in Week 16.
Latest available updates on Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury
The latest report on Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.
