Los Angeles pulled its preseason record ahead to 2-1 with a 21-20 victory over Houston on Saturday.
With many players participating in the exhibition contest, here's a look at the Rams' snap counts.
DEFENSE
— The Rams elected to play their defensive starters for two series on Saturday, amounting to seven plays. Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, Lamarcus Joyner, Marcus Peters, John Johnson, and Cory Littleton played each of the seven snaps. Slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman was in for four snaps.
— L.A. made the most of its time on the field, forcing a three-and-out on Houston's first series. Then Suh and Joyner combined to end the second possession, with Suh delivering a hit to quarterback Deshaun Watson that forced a high errant pass that Joyner intercepted.
— As he has throughout the preseason, outside linebacker Samson Ebukam started the game and played significant snaps. He was in for 30 plays, or 45 percent of the defense's total.
— Outside linebacker Matt Longacre also started for his first action of the preseason after suffering a bicep injury earlier in training camp. He played 11 snaps (16 percent), recording a sack in the second quarter.
— Dominique Easley also made his return to the field, this time as an edge rusher. Easley has been an interior defensive lineman throughout his career, but is shifting to the outside for 2018. He played eight snaps, all in the first half.
— Cornerback Sam Shields made the most of his seven snaps, making his first interception of the preseason in the first quarter.
— Linebacker Ramik Wilson started in Mark Barron's stead and played a bit longer than the other starters with 19 total snaps (28 percent).
— Cornerback Taurean Nixon played the most defensive snaps with 52 (78 percent). He also led Los Angeles with seven total tackles.
OFFENSE
— Offensively, head coach Sean McVay elected to rest the starters, meaning they will not take a snap in the preseason. That's mainly because the group does not really have to pick up a new system or worry about new starters.
— But with right guard Jamon Brown's two-game suspension looming, however, rookie offensive lineman Joe Noteboom played 57 snaps (84 percent) on Saturday. Noteboom is a candidate to replace Brown, along with Austin Blythe — who played 37 snaps (54 percent) on Saturday.
— Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge continued to contribute at wide receiver for Los Angeles, also playing 57 of the offensive snaps. He caught three passes for 22 yards.
— Sean Mannion once again received the start at quarterback, playing 37 snaps (54 percent) in the first half. Brandon Allen played the second half, taking 31 snaps (46 percent).
— As he has throughout the preseason, John Kelly led the way at running back with 34 snaps (50 percent). Malcolm Brown go the start at the position, taking 15 snaps (22 percent). And Nick Holley had the remaining snaps at the position with 19 (28 percent). Kelly rushed 15 time for 64 yards with two touchdowns, Holley had 40 yards on 11 carries, and Brown took six carries for 11 yards.
