Eagles Week 3 snap counts: Jahan Dotson whiffs, Bryce Huff demoted, Cooper DeJean DNP

Ryan OLeary

Eagles Week 3 snap counts: Jahan Dotson whiffs, Bryce Huff demoted, Cooper DeJean DNP image

The Philadelphia Eagles answered the bell on defense Sunday, shutting down what had been the hottest offense in the NFL. 

One player noticeably uninvolved in the unit’s best four quarters of the season was EDGE rusher Bryce Huff. 

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told reporters last week that Huff would remain a starter, despite what has been an unimpactful Eagles debut. In reality, Huff played his least amount of snaps of the season, according to PFF’s game recap

Here’s a full breakdown of the Eagles snaps in Week 3 against the Saints:

Eagles Week 3 defensive snap counts

  • Quinyon Mitchell, CB — 56
  • Zack Baun, LB — 56
  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S — 56
  • Reed Blankenship, S — 56
  • Nakobe Dean, LB — 55
  • Jalen Carter, DT — 49
  • Darius Slay, CB — 47
  • Milton Williams, DT — 37
  • Brandon Graham, EDGE — 35
  • Josh Sweat, EDGE — 34
  • Avonte Maddox, CB — 29
  • Jordan Davis, DT — 29
  • Nolan Smith, EDGE — 21
  • Bryce Huff, EDGE — 18
  • Moro Ojomo, DT — 17
  • Kelee Ringo, CB — 11
  • Thomas Booker IV, DT — 10

Huff was on the field for just 32 percent of the Eagles’ snaps, and once again failed to record a QB pressure. That the Eagles had their best game of the season defensively in a game where Huff was demoted is not a good sign for a player the team signed to a three-year, $51 million contract in the offseason. 

The Eagles were able to generate a ton of natural pressure from their defensive line, a group that had been criticized and answered the bell. Jalen Carter was disruptive, Jordan Davis recorded a key sack, and Milton Willams made a pair of plays behind the line of scrimmage as Philly shut down Derek Carr and the Saints.

Also absent in Sunday’s game plan was rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean. The No. 40 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has seen his snap count decrease each week. He was active for the Saints game but did not play a single snap as he continues to manage a switch to nickel corner. 

Thomas Booker IV continues to make plays in limited opportunities, batting down a Carr pass as the Saints attempted to mount a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. 

As for the offense, tight-end Dallas Goedert’s monster day saved the Eagles late after wide receiver DeVonta Smith was knocked out with a concussion:

Eagles Week 3 offensive snap counts

  • Cam Jurgens, C — 71
  • Jalen Hurts, QB — 71
  • Landon Dickerson, G — 71
  • Jordan Mailata, OT — 71
  • Jahan Dotson, WR — 62
  • Dallas Goedert, TE — 61
  • Saquon Barkley, RB — 58
  • Tyler Steen, OG — 57
  • DeVonta Smith, WR — 54
  • Fred Johnson, OT — 53
  • Parris Campbell, WR — 35
  • Grant Calcaterra, TE — 26
  • Johnny Wilson, WR — 23
  • Lane Johnson, OT — 18
  • Mekhi Becton, OG — 14
  • Kenneth Gainwell, RB — 13
  • Jack Stoll, TE — 13
  • Britain Covey, WR — 7

Goedert was Philly’s best offensive player Sunday, racking up 10 catches for a career-high 170 yards. His one-handed catch in the fourth quarter will be playing on a loop on highlight-reels all week:

Goedert added a 61-yard catch and run that set up Saquon Barkley’s game-winning touchdown with 1:01 remaining in regulation. 

The Eagles needed Goedert and Barkley late, because with Smith out of the game, there wasn’t a wide receiver worth targeting for quarterback Jalen Hurts. 

Jahan Dotson got his highest snap count of the season. His 62 snaps led all Eagles skill players against the Saints. He managed two catches for 8 yards on three targets, bringing his three-game total to three catches for 14 yards. That’s not exactly the kind of impact the Eagles anticipated when they traded for the former first-round pick at the end of training camp.

Wide receiver Britain Covey exited with a shoulder injury after a productive Week 2 with six catches. Like Dotson, receivers Parris Campbell and rookie Johnny Wilson were non-factors with a combined three catches for 22 yards.

The Eagles had to juggle the offensive line due to injuries to starters Lane Johnson and Mekhi Becton. Fred Johnson was the next man up for Johnson, and Tyler Steen filled in for Becton. Both players held up well.

Hurts was pressured often in this game. He took four sacks and was hit eight times while grinding out a big road win for the Eagles.

MORE EAGLES NEWS:

Eagles injuries highlight glaring weakness in Howie Roseman’s 2024 roster

Eagles Jalen Carter went bonkers following comeback win over the Saints

What is Nick Sirianni doing? Eagles HC makes head-scratching decision vs. Saints

Eagles predicted to land six-time Pro Bowler to help struggling defense

Eagles fans are (rightfully) convinced: Bill Belichick wants Howie Roseman’s roster

Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.