The inactive players for the Denver Broncos game against the Arizona Cardinale had two starters (still), but the other five are regulars on the inactive list: QB Sam Ehlinger, DL Jordan Jackson, CB Pat Surtain II, S Talanoa Hufanga, TE Dallen Bentley, OL Kage Casey, DL Tyler Onyedim.
Offense
This was another game where the starting offensive line and the quarterback played every snap on offense. Alex Palczewski played 14 snaps as the sixth offensive lineman. This was a huge number for him as he came into
this game having played 20 total in the previous six games. The coaches must have noted that the Cardinal defense was susceptible to runs (or passes) with six OL players in the game. Frank Crum is still on the IR, but can return when he is healthy.
Special teams ace, Adam Prentice, played 10 snaps at fullback and blocked a punt on special teams using perfect punt block form. Ten snaps on offense was a season high for him as well.
At RB, Jonah Coleman got the majority of the offensive snaps with 30. JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey got 14 and 16. So at least for this game Dobbins was the 3rd string RB by snaps. He production was comparable to what he has done most of the season. His six touches resulted in 23 yards and one TD. That is 3.83 yards per touch, which is actually an improvement for him. He is still at 3.4 yards per touch for the season. Coleman is at 5.3 and Harvey (with his long catch and run) is at 6.2.
At tight end Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, and Evan Engram played 37, 24, and 24 snaps. On national tight end day (what a joke) they combined for one catch for two yards on four targets.
Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, and LJ Humphrey played 43, 34, 28, 16, and 15 snaps.
The only active offensive player who did not appear in the game at all was Jarrett Stidham.
Defense
On defense there were three players who played all 81 snaps, Alex Singleton, Brandon Jones, and Riley Moss.
At the other ILB, Justin Strnad played 75 percent of the snaps. No other ILB got defensive snaps.
The other safety spot was manned by Taylor Rapp and Devon Key with Hufanga out. They played 50 and 31 snaps.
Jahdae Barron, Ja’quan McMillian, and Kris Abrams-Draine played 53, 50, and 47 snaps. No other CB got defensive snaps.
At OLB, Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman played 47, 45, 41, and 29 snaps. Jonah Ellis is on injured reserve.
On the DL, Eyioma Uwazurike, Zach Allen, Malcolm Roach, DJ Jones, and Sai’vion Jones played 51, 47, 38, 30, and 28 snaps. This was the first time that Uwazurike played more snaps than Allen. Admittedly Allen missed a few snaps at the end of the game, but it means that Uwazurike is now a trusted and important foundation of the defense.
Special Teams
Four players played 80 percent or more of the special teams snaps: Robinson, Tillman, Key and Tycen Anderson. Only Anderson was not involved on the defense. Key’s only tackle was on kickoff coverage. Tillman had an assisted tackle on KO coverage (with Karene Reid). Other player with special teams tackles were KAD, Prentice, Sean Fresch, JL Skinner, Karene Reid, and Jordan Turner. All had one tackle on special teams.
