49ers-Chiefs snap count: Rookies and offensive linemen led the way

The San Francisco 49ers are into their second day of practice this week, but we can’t forget about the preseason snap count. An NFL stats database compiles a full rundown of snaps for every game throughout the season. We’ll be back each week with the details for the given week. Some weeks it will be a full list like this, and some weeks it will be presented in a different fashion to keep it from getting stale. Here is this week’s gamebook PDF.

Preseason snap counts are not an easy thing to analyze given how much playing time everybody on the roster gets. This is particularly true for special teams players. Linebacker Dekoda Watson played 14 defensive snaps, and safety Don Jones played 19 defensive snaps. Both also played 15 special teams snaps, and we know they will be primarily core special teams players if they make the roster. Only injuries would change that.

The 49ers did not play nearly as many defensive snaps as offensive snaps, and we saw rookies getting a lot of the work. Seven of the top eight defensive snap totals went to rookies, with Keith Reaser the exception. There were a lot of defensive backs up top, which is not surprising given the injuries at safety and cornerback.

On the offensive side of the ball, reserve offensive linemen led the way, with the top six snap totals going to them. JP Flynn got the most snaps, 76, which accounted for 92 percent of total offensive snaps. He came on with the second team offensive line after the starters got eight snaps, and he never left the game. If Flynn can put together a decent preseason, I could see him getting claimed off waivers elsewhere. I’m curious to see if he ends up getting a shot at a practice squad spot otherwise.

Here’s the full snap count.