A look at the New Orleans Saints' snap counts in their 38-17 loss at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4:
OFFENSE (61 snaps)
Quarterback -- Drew Brees 61
Running back -- Pierre Thomas 23, Khiry Robinson 18, Travaris Cadet 18
Fullback -- Austin Johnson 9
Receiver -- Marques Colston 53, Brandin Cooks 50, Kenny Stills 45, Robert Meachem 17
Tight end -- Jimmy Graham 51, Benjamin Watson 15, Josh Hill 6
Offensive tackle -- Zach Strief 61, Bryce Harris 52, Terron Armstead 9
Guard -- Jahri Evans 61, Ben Grubbs 61
Center -- Jonathan Goodwin 61
Thoughts: I was surprised to see Thomas with more snaps than Robinson since Thomas only wound up with four touches (two runs, two receptions). It was a surprisingly quiet performance for the normally-go-to veteran. … Colston was much the same. Even though he led all Saints receivers in snaps, he finished with just five catches for 50 yards on 10 targets. Colston dropped at least two catchable passes -- as did tight end Jimmy Graham. … Goodwin’s snap count was very impressive, considering he said that both he and the team orthopedist thought he wouldn’t be able to play as of last Monday. But his ankle sprain healed steadily. Goodwin said he was a little sore but expects to heal even more now with another week. … Harris played even more than I realized after Armstead left early with a concussion. And he held up extremely well considering most of his snaps came when the Cowboys knew New Orleans would pass. Coach Sean Payton made a point to single out Harris as one of the lone bright spots in Sunday’s loss. But Armstead’s status has not been determined yet this week.
DEFENSE (66 snaps)
Cornerback -- Keenan Lewis 65, Corey White 65, Brian Dixon 16
Safety -- Jairus Byrd 66, Kenny Vaccaro 66, Rafael Bush 28
Outside linebacker -- Junior Galette 52, Parys Haralson 38, Kasim Edebali 14
Inside linebacker -- Curtis Lofton 66, Ramon Humber 56
Defensive end -- Cameron Jordan 58, Akiem Hicks 48, Glenn Foster 21, Tyrunn Walker 15
Defensive tackle -- Brodrick Bunkley 36, Brandon Deaderick 16
Thoughts: Once again, the Saints used three and four linebackers a lot (if you count Galette as an outside linebacker). But it didn’t help much as they still got gashed by running back DeMarco Murray. … Rookie Dixon more than doubled his snap count while serving as the Saints’ dime back. But he got beat for a touchdown pass. … I give up trying to figure out the pecking order at defensive end. Foster was inactive in Week 2, but he played more snaps than Walker this week.