49ers snap count vs. Cardinals features a whole lot of wide receivers

The snap count is out for the San Francisco 49ers loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and it features plenty of new looks. The 49ers rolled out more 3-, 4- and 5- wide receiver sets than we have seen in some time. In fact, we might have seen more 4- and 5-WR sets on Sunday than we did in Jim Harbaugh's first three seasons with the 49ers combined.

Of course, getting all those 4- and 5-WR sets meant we saw some players less than normal. The 49ers used fullback Bruce Miller a mere 9 snaps. The team also never used a second tight end. Derek Carrier got 34 snaps, while backup Asante Cleveland only played on special teams. This might be the first time under Jim Harbaugh the 49ers have not used a second tight end in an entire game. The 49ers used an extra offensive lineman a decent amount, including seven with Joe Looney and two with Dillon Farrell. The 49ers have not used an extra offensive lineman very much this year, so this extra usage was likely in place of the second tight end.

On defense, Ray McDonald played 46 snaps, or 69 percent of the defensive snaps. Normally he is higher, but according to PFF's Jeff Deeney, McDonald came off the field slowly at the 3:57 mark of the fourth quarter, and was replaced by Tony Jerod-Eddie for eight snaps. We'll see if Jim Harbaugh has anything to say on that, although the strong money is on, "He is working through something."