Analysis · Nov 11, 2026 · 2 min read

Ten backups who are doing the starter's job

At ten positions around the league, the player listed second has played far more than the player listed first over the last three games.

A depth chart is a club's stated order. Snap counts are what happened on the field. Before Week 10, the two disagree most at these ten positions. Every percentage below is the player's average share of his unit's snaps over the last three games.

At ten positions the player listed second has played far more than the player listed first

Share of the unit's snaps over the last three games.

Listed secondListed first

Chargers left guard: Taylor, Awosika100%0%
Seahawks left guard: Zabel, Nelson100%33%
Packers inside linebacker: McDuffie, Franklin98%0%
Packers center: Williams, Rhyan96%2%
Eagles wide receiver: Cooper, Smith94%0%
Cowboys inside linebacker: James, Winters93%30%
49ers wide receiver: Watkins, Samuel76%0%
Cardinals right guard: Conner, Gaines67%0%
Jaguars strong safety: Merriweather, Bates67%0%
Vikings quarterback: Murray, Cousins67%0%

Seven have an injury listed

Chargers left guard: Logan Taylor has played every snap. Kayode Awosika, listed first, has played none and is questionable.
Packers inside linebacker: Isaiah McDuffie is at 98%. Zaire Franklin has not played in that span and is doubtful with a shin injury.
Packers center: John Williams is at 96%. Sean Rhyan, listed first and questionable, is at 2%.
Eagles wide receiver: Darius Cooper is at 94% while DeVonta Smith is out with a hamstring injury.
49ers wide receiver: Jordan Watkins is at 76%. Deebo Samuel Sr. is questionable and has not played in the last three games.
Seahawks left guard: Grey Zabel has played every snap. Quenton Nelson is at 33% and doubtful with a knee injury.
Cardinals right guard: Hayden Conner is at 67%. Jon Gaines II is questionable and has not played.

Three have no injury listed

These are the ones to watch, because the chart may simply be out of date.

Vikings quarterback: Kyler Murray has taken 67% of the snaps. Kirk Cousins is listed first, has no injury designation and has not played in that span.
Jaguars strong safety: Kaevon Merriweather is at 67%. Jessie Bates III, listed first with no designation, has not played.
Cowboys inside linebacker: Shemar James is at 93% and Dee Winters is at 30%.

How to read this

A three-game average moves slowly. A share near 67% usually means two full games out of the last three. Open any of the team pages above and select the position to see the split game by game.

Figures come from the depth charts and snap counts on this site, as of Nov 12.