Bengals preseason Week 3: Snap count distribution vs Redskins

It was an up and down day for the Cincinnati Bengals in their preseason Week 3 game against the Washington Redskins. Although the Bengals’ starters managed to secure a lead and the end of the first half, the backups in the second half generally looked lost, being outscored 10-3 and finishing with a 23-17 loss.

Although the Bengals’ starters didn’t exactly blow the Redskins out of the water, they looked much better than the backups. AJ McCarron, in particular, looked awful as he finished with seven completions for 82 yards and an interception for a final quarterback rating of 41.2.

Overall, the Bengals would have liked to see better results from the team as a whole. The starters were, admittedly, winning, but there were still a few notable issues. All that said, the snap count distribution took shape as follows, and told us a few interesting things.

Snap count takeaways:

• Reserve running back Jarveon Williams received the most snaps of all running backs this week. He also received the most carries on the day (10), although he only recorded 26 yards in the process. He did, however, record two catches for 19 yards. If the Bengals are considering him for a practice squad role, he will need to perform better to beat out Tra Carson, although Carson only received three snaps the entire game. You have to wonder if the Bengals are hiding Carson’s talents to ensure he doesn’t get snatched up by another team if the Bengals opt to waive him in an effort to put him on the practice squad.
• Jeremy Hill received five carries, but only recorded 15 yards and 1 touchdown in the process. He ended up exiting the game due to a minor ankle injury. Only Carson recorded less snaps among running backs. The Bengals saw virtually even snap counts for Joe Mixon (16) and Giovani Bernard (15), despite Williams receiving the most snaps.
• Trey Hopkins continued to receive a large number of snaps this week (34). That’s more than every other guard on the team, and only beaten by Cedric Ogbuehi (37), Jake Fisher (37), Russell Bodine (37), and T.J. Johnson (42) on the entire offensive line. He received more snaps than Andre Smith (32), who saw time at left tackle, showing he’s lost the race at guard.
• Cethan Carter continues to see a large number of snaps (29). Fellow half-back Ryan Hewitt played 17 snaps, while traditional fullback Darrin Laufasa only recorded four snaps. It is extremely doubtful Carter will take Hewitt’s roster spot, but it is interesting how productive he has been and how much the Bengals love seeing him on the field. He also could make his way onto the practice squad.
• Nobody played more snaps than backup free safety Derron Smith (43), largely due to both starters Shawn Williams and George Iloka sitting out. Clayton Fejedelem has started in all three preseason games with Iloka out, and Smith got a start on Sunday, too with Williams injured as well. Smith performed well in his opportunities, recording four tackles and a pass deflection.
• Alex Erickson has been very impressive in the passing game. He received the fourth most snaps amongst wide receivers (21), but he once again led the team in receiving yards (three catches on four targets for 51 yards). The star kick returner is not expected to make much of an impact on offense in the regular season, but he has certainly been more productive than every other receiver on the fringes of the Bengals’ roster.
• Cedric Peerman only played on special teams before getting injured and leaving the game.
• Based on snap counts, it seems David Dean, Cameron Lee, J.J. Dielman, Josh Tupou, Darrin Laufasa, Tra Carson and Bryson Albright are on the verge of being cut, though all are practice squad candidates.