Packers TJ Slaton will also see more snaps without Dean Lowry

With the Green Bay Packers placing Dean Lowry on IR earlier in the week, that means more snaps and opportunities for rookie Devonte Wyatt, who has really made the most of his chances in recent weeks, flashing that athleticism and relentlessness that he possesses as a pass rusher.

However, it’s not only Wyatt who will see an increase in playing time but TJ Slaton will as well.

Lowry was on the field for 482 snaps this season prior to his injury, with 285 coming against the run–or about two-thirds of his total snaps. When Wyatt has had opportunities this season, Green Bay has tried to get him on the field on passing downs, where he can pin his ears back and try to get after the quarterback. Run defense and those responsibilities are still a work in progress.

At 6’5″ – 340 pounds, Slaton’s role on this team is as a run-stuffer who eats up space in the middle and takes on double teams. After playing just 19 total snaps against Chicago and Los Angeles, Slaton played 20 snaps in Miami against the pass-heavy Dolphins. He is currently averaging just over 18 snaps per game this season, per PFF ($$).

There will be some overlap where Wyatt is on the field as a run defender and Slaton as a pass rusher, but largely, I believe that Wyatt will be utilized on third downs, obvious passing situations, or when the Packers are in their nickel alignment. Slaton will be out there in obvious running situations or on early downs.

As a nose tackle, we won’t often see Slaton filling up the stat sheet, but his teammates will feel his presence as he frees them up by occupying both space and blockers. This season, Slaton has tallied four pressures, 19 total tackles, and seven stops.

Consistency from snap to snap will be key for Slaton as he takes on a larger role. While the Packers may have asked Lowry to handle a larger workload than what he should have during his career, you knew what you were going to get from him for the most part. It’s an unglamorous job being a run defender in the middle of the defense, but Lowry embraced the dirty work. He had just one missed tackle this season, and out of 147 eligible interior defenders, he totaled 16 run-stops, which ranked 39th.

This week against the Vikings, the Packers will have Dalvin Cook to worry about, along with several weapons in the passing game, including Justin Jefferson. Minnesota enters the game ranked 30th in rush attempts per game, so we may see more of Wyatt than Slaton this week. However, their playing time will mostly be determined by whether it’s a running or passing situation, with Kenny Clark and Jarran Reed continuing to be the mainstays along the interior defensive line.