Packers Snap Counts: Complementary receivers play, don’t produce

Ever since Allen Lazard went out with an injury, the Green Bay Packers have been searching for someone to replace his production.

In their 28-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, a good chunk of the Packers’ wideouts got playing time but the production was not necessarily there.

Green Bay complementary receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Malik Taylor and Darrius Shepherd combined for four receptions for 63 yards. It was enough to help the Packers get back in the game but not enough to get the win.

Valdes-Scantling also recorded a four-yard rush and played 62 offensive snaps, which was 82% of the snaps — the same percentage as he played last week against the Houston Texans.

St. Brown had one catch for 19 yards and was on the field for 22 plays (29%). Shepherd played 19 snaps (25%) and Taylor played 13 snaps (17%).

With hours until the NFL trade deadline, it will be interesting to see if the Packers target a receiver to add more production. There are still a few solid candidates out there and their addition to the team could make life easier for Aaron Rodgers. As good as Davante Adams is, he can only do so much.

Other notes from Sunday’s snap counts:

— Speaking of wide receivers, Adams played 71 of the Packers’ 72 offensive snaps (95%). He is Green Bay’s best receiver and makes a difference when he is out there, but has never been above 92% of the snaps in any other game this season.

— Tight ends Robert Tonyan and Jace Sternberger both saw their playing time increase a bit. Tonyan, who played 50% of the Packers offensive snaps last week, jumped up to 61% (46 snaps) and caught five balls for a team-leading 79 yards. Sternberger played 32% of offensive snaps against Houston and moved up to 37% (28 plays) vs. Minnesota, catching three passes for 46 yards.

— Rookie linebacker Kamal Martin saw a big leap in playing time against the Vikings. He played in 43% of defensive snaps in his season debut against Houston in Week 7 and was on the field for 42 plays (81%) Sunday, finishing with three tackles.

— Linebacker Krys Barnes saw his highest percentage of defensive snaps against Minnesota. He was on the field 94% of Green Bay’s defensive plays, his 49 snaps tied for third-most on the Packers’ defense. The former UCLA Bruin recorded four tackles in the game.

— Rookie running back A.J. Dillon, who, as it turned out played with COVID-19, was in for 10 snaps (13%). He was quite productive in his limited playing time and finished with 21 yards rushing on five attempts and one catch for 16 yards.

WEEK 8 — VS. VIKINGS (OFFENSE)