The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and the snap count reveals some interesting things on defense. The unit had to make up for the loss a week earlier of Glenn Dorsey to a torn ACL. In Week 11, Arik Armstead got the bulk of the work, with Mike Purcell and Tony Jerod-Eddie getting sizable opportunities behind him. However, in Week 12, Purcell was the one getting the bulk of the snaps.
Purcell got the start at right defensive tackle, and finished with 49 of 80 defensive snaps. Armstead finished with 18, and Jerod-Eddie finished with 14. Armstead's work was almost entirely in passing situations, with Jeff Deeney pointing out that it was entirely dime and short yardage situations. Armstead was on the injury report this week with a shoulder issue, and Jim Tomsula said the team did not want to overburden him with the injury.
Ahmad Brooks was inactive, and Corey Lemonier was initially announced as the starter in his place. Eli Harold ended up getting the first snaps of the game, but Lemonier finished with more snaps in a solid performance. The next practice participation report arrives on Wednesday, so we'll see where Brooks is in the concussion protocol. He practiced in a non-contact jersey last Friday, but was deactivated on Sunday. This would indicate he had more symptoms, so we'll see what this week brings.
Defensive Line
Quinton Dial: 59
Mike Purcell: 49
Ian Williams: 49
Arik Armstead: 18
Tony Jerod-Eddie: 14
Tank Carradine: 11
Outside Linebackers
Aaron Lynch: 67
Corey Lemonier: 44
Eli Harold: 41
Inside Linebackers
NaVorro Bowman: 80
Michael Wilhoite: 62
Gerald Hodges: 8
Cornerbacks
Tramaine Brock: 80
Kenneth Acker: 75
Jimmie Ward: 53
Dontae Johnson: 14
Safeties
Jaquiski Tartt: 80
Eric Reid: 76