Week 14 Saints snap counts: Kurt Coleman’s reduced role continues

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New Orleans Saints safety Kurt Coleman played a season-high 48 defensive snaps in Week 7 against the Ravens, but since then, his snap count has plummeted significantly.

The following game against the Vikings, Coleman played just 28 snaps. Then, he played 21 snaps against the Rams followed by 20 against the Bengals.

Since then, Coleman has played less than 20 snaps in four consecutive games, including just 14 in Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Vonn Bell has been the Saints’ primary strong safety since Week 2. In Week 1, Coleman played 37 snaps compared to Bell’s 30, but in Week 2, Bell played 40 snaps while Coleman played 23.

Still, Coleman had a sizable role for a while as he fell below the 20-snap mark just once in the first nine games.

Last Friday, coach Sean Payton compared Coleman’s role to that of a tight end or fullback because it could change depending on the opponent.

“A lot of it’s base and sub,” Payton said. “He's one of the three safeties. Some weeks it might be three safeties; some weeks it might be base, so it can fluctuate a little bit.”

It’s hard to argue with the Saints current defensive deployment. In the past five games, they’ve allowed an average of 13 points and 287 yards, and they’ve tallied 12 takeaways and 24 sacks.

For the season, Coleman has played 36 percent of the defensive snaps, which ranks 16th among defensive players. He has 25 tackles plus another on special teams.

“I think he’s doing a good job for us,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said Friday. “As with every week, each offense, a lot of times each week their personnel dictates who we play or who we put out in the field in certain situations. Like last week, we had a little bit more regular 21 and 12 (personnel) with Dallas, so there’s a little bit more there for Kurt.

“I think the good thing for us is that we feel comfortable with the safeties that we have and being able to use them in several roles. I think he’s doing a really good job for us. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and there’s certainly a role for him to help us win.”

Wide receivers: Michael Thomas 58 of 64 (91 percent), Tre’Quan Smith 41 (64 percent), Keith Kirkwood 22 (34 percent), Austin Carr 14 (22 percent), Tommylee Lewis 13 (20 percent).

It’s clear Kirkwood has established himself as the No. 3 receiver. In four of his five active games, he’s played more snaps than Carr.

Defensive ends: Cameron Jordan 65 of 70 (93 percent), Alex Okafor 44 (63 percent), Marcus Davenport 31 (44 percent).

Even with Davenport being healthy after that toe injury earlier this year, Okafor remains the No. 2 defensive end. Davenport, a rookie, has played 50 percent or more in four of his 10 games this year, maxing out at 57 percent in Week 5.

Linebackers: Demario Davis 68 (97 percent), A.J. Klein 44 (63 percent), Alex Anzalone 40 (57 percent), Craig Robertson 1 (1 percent).

Anzalone has now played 57 percent or more in four of the past five games. His high mark in the first eight games was 53 percent.