Snap Count Takeaways: Mike Ford Steps Up In Big Way

The Browns dealt with injuries to two key players in the secondary, and Ford was among the defenders who stepped up

We’re breaking down some of the top takeaways from the Cleveland Browns’ snap count totals in their 33-31 win over the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore.

- Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. was tasked with stepping into a bigger role in the secondary after cornerback Denzel Ward (neck) and safety Juan Thornhill (calf) each exited the game with injuries. Ford, a sixth-year veteran who has primarily played special teams, pulled through with a season-high 28 snaps (52 percent) and picked off Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the second quarter for his first career interception.

Aug 11, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Mike Ford (28) celebrates his sack against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

- Ward exited the game after only nine snaps.

- As a result of the injuries to Ward and Thornhill, second-year cornerback M.J. Emerson Jr. also played in all 54 of the Browns’ defensive snaps, the first time he’s played every down in a game in his career.

- Cornerback Greg Newsome II played in 45 plays (83 percent) — and alternated to safety at times — despite entering the game as questionable due to a groin injury. Newsome, a 2021 first-round pick, snatched his first career interception off Jackson in the fourth quarter and returned it for a touchdown, bringing the Browns to within one point of the Ravens in the final minutes.

- Backup tackles Geron Christian and James Hudson III each played all 78 of the Browns’ offensive snaps. Both tackles were thrusted into starts due to injuries to Jedrick Wills Jr. and Dawand Jones.

- Wide receiver Amari Cooper played 72 snaps (92 percent), his highest snap count in a game since Week 11 against the Buccaneers last season. Cooper caught six passes for 98 yards and totaled over 89 receiving yards for the third straight week.

- Rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman played a career-high 66 snaps (85 percent) but was rarely involved in the pass game — he didn’t catch any of his three targets. He’s played over 70 percent of snaps in the last two games following the Browns’ trade of Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Lions, but Tillman has just one reception for three yards in that span.

- Running back Jerome Ford paced the backfield with 50 snaps (64 percent). He posted 107 yards on 17 carries, which was the second time this season he’s topped 100 yards in a game.

- Running back Kareem Hunt was second among Browns rushers with 28 snaps (36 percent). Pierre Strong Jr. saw no offensive snaps for the first time since Week 1 but logged 18 snaps on special teams.

- Wide receiver Austin Watkins was active for the first NFL game of his career, but he did not play any snaps.