Vikings Snap Counts in Week 3 vs. the Chargers

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 saw the Vikings fall for the third consecutive time to begin the season.

Now, Minnesota is in the very unfortunate spot of having to dig themselves out of an 0-3 hole with a matchup against the Carolina Panthers looming.

Prior to breaking down that matchup, though, here is a look at the Vikings snap counts for Week 3, as recorded by Pro Football Focus.

Offense

Vikings Snap Counts
Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to throws a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
  • QB Kirk Cousins (83)
  • LT Christian Darrisaw (83)
  • LG Ezra Cleveland (83)
  • C Austin Schlottmann (83)
  • RG Ed Ingram (83)
  • RT Brian O’Neill (83)
  • WR Justin Jefferson (78)
  • WR K.J. Osborn (77)
  • TE T.J. Hockenson (74)
  • RB Alexander Mattison (67)
  • WR Jordan Addison (59)
  • TE Josh Oliver (27)
  • RB Ty Chandler (12)
  • FB C.J. Ham (8)
  • TE Johnny Mundt (7)
  • WR Brandon Powell (5)
  • WR Trishton Jackson (1)

If there is a positive from this game, it can be that the Vikings got through a full matchup unscathed at the offensive line. For the first time this season, Minnesota had all five of their starters play every snap, including star left tackle Christian Darrisaw.

It would also be good to see Ty Chandler get a few more reps at running back moving forward. The second-year RB had 4 touches on Sunday that went for 30 yards, and he has the burst to pick up chunk yards in a pinch. C.J. Ham’s usage continues to decrease as well, so that could be something to monitor heading into Week 4.

Defense

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings
Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley (25) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) and assisted by safety Harrison Smith (22) and linebacker Pat Jones II (91)during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
  • S Camryn Bynum (66)
  • LB Jordan Hicks (66)
  • S Josh Metellus (63)
  • S Harrison Smith (63)
  • CB Byron Murphy (62)
  • OLB Danielle Hunter (61)
  • CB Akayleb Evans (60)
  • OLB D.J. Wonnum (59)
  • NT Harrison Phillips (51)
  • LB Ivan Pace (41)
  • OLB Pat Jones (32)
  • DE Dean Lowry (31)
  • DE Jonathan Bullard (27)
  • CB Mekhi Blackmon (18)
  • OLB Andre Carter (14)
  • DT Jaquelin Roy (9)
  • S Theo Jackson (3)

Once again, it’s Camryn Bynum and Jordan Hicks at the top of the list for the Vikings defensive snaps. They were on the field for every snap on Sunday, and both players performed extremely well once again.

Additionally, we saw two rookies make their defensive debuts on Sunday with Andre Carter playing 14 snaps and Jaquelin Roy at 9. With Minnesota trying to mix things up in order to improve that side of the ball, perhaps we can see an increased role for the rookies in the coming weeks.

With the positives also come negatives, though. None of Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, or Brian Asamoah played a single snap on defense this weekend. The 2022 Draft class for the Vikings continues to look like a sub-par one.

Special Teams

Aug 26, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) lines up for a field goal against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
  • LB Troy Dye (21)
  • S Theo Jackson (16)
  • S Josh Metellus (16)
  • LB Brian Asamoah (15)
  • LB Ivan Pace (15)
  • FB C.J. Ham (14)
  • S Lewis Cine (13)
  • S Jay Ward (13)
  • TE Johnny Mundt (12)
  • CB NaJee Thompson (11)
  • OLB Andre Carter (10)
  • TE Josh Oliver (9)
  • CB Andrew Booth (8)
  • OLB Pat Jones (8)
  • P Ryan Wright (7)
  • LS Andrew DePaola (7)
  • DT Jaquelin Roy (6)
  • RB Ty Chandler (6)
  • WR Trishton Jackson (6)
  • DE Dean Lowry (6)
  • S Camryn Bynum (5)
  • DE Jonathan Bullard (5)
  • LT Christian Darrisaw (4)
  • RG Ed Ingram (4)
  • IOL Dalton Risner (4)
  • OLB D.J. Wonnum (4)
  • CB Byron Murphy (4)
  • LG Ezra Cleveland (4)
  • OT David Quessenberry (4)
  • WR Brandon Powell (3)
  • OL Blake Brandel (3)
  • CB Mekhi Blackmon (1)
  • RT Brian O’Neill (1)
  • LB Jordan Hicks (1)

Looking down the list, you’ll notice that Dalton Risner did in fact make his Vikings debut on Sunday, with four snaps on the special teams. It remains to be seen when and if he’ll begin playing with the offense, but the fact that he at least got on the field in Week 3 is promising.

Per usual, the do-it-all Josh Metellus also put together one of the highest snap counts on the team, with 16 special teams snaps on top of his 63 snaps with the defense. Metellus continues to be a very valuable piece for Minnesota this season.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.