Dolphins vs Patriots recap: Miami defensive snap counts

The Miami Dolphins dropped their fourth straight game with a 27-17 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. Yesterday, we took a look at the offensive snap counts for the Dolphins during the game. Today, we add the defensive snap counts.

With the return of Dannell Ellerbe to the lineup, the Dolphins had five player take every snap, with Ellerbe and fellow linebacker Philip Wheeler, safeties Chris Clemons and Reshad Jones, and cornerback Brent Grimes all playing all 66 defensive snaps.

Alongside Grimes at the cornerback position, the Dolphin saw Dimitri Patterson return to the starting lineup and play 60 snaps. Jimmy Wilson added 38 snaps, while Nolan Carroll, who had been starting due to Patterson's injury, only took eight snaps.

At linebacker, Ellerbe and Wheeler were joined by Koa Misi on 30 snaps, playing 45% of the plays.

The defensive line saw the largest rotation, as usual, with defensive end Olivier Vernon (44), Randy Starks (45), and Jared Odrick (42) all topping the 40 snaps mark. Behind them, Paul Soliai played 35 snaps, or 53% of the defensive plays, while Cameron Wake was on the field for 22 plays, exactly half the defensive plays. Derrick Shelby (29) and Dion Jordan (17) rotated into the game at the defensive end positions, while Isaako Aaitui made 15 appearances on the field in just his second NFL game.

Jason Trusnik, Jelani Jenkins, Jamar Taylor, Jonathan Freeny, and Austin Spitler did not make any defensive appearances on Sunday.

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