Snap Counts vs. the Bengals show Javon Hargrave’s playing time could be increasing

The man fans affectionately call “J-Wobble” had been MIA for the Pittsburgh Steelers throughout the first 5 games of the regular season. Javon Hargrave, the team’s 3rd round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, was, at times, on the bench watching Daniel McCullers get snaps over him.

Not quite what the fan base was hoping for from No. 79 in 2018, not when his knifing defensive style could add a new dimension to the team’s defense. However, his style also is not the best for the defense stopping the run. This is the main reason why the fans have been seeing more Daniel McCullers throughout the first half of the season, but that changed in Week 6 vs. the Bengals.

While Hargrave’s snap totals have been rather average so far this season, he played 21 snaps (34%) to McCullers’ 5. Hargrave represented himself well with 5 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit.

Is it time for ‘J-Wobble’ to finally start being the nose tackle this team has needed solidifying the middle of the defensive line? Possibly, and the Week 6 win over Cincinnati sure was a step in the right direction.

Time to dive into some other snap count nuggets from the Week 6 win:

• The Steelers continued to shuffle their outside cornerbacks opposite Joe Haden, but this time Coty Sensabaugh (35) played more than Artie Burns (29). This is usually flipped the other way.
• Pittsburgh loved their three tight ends on Sunday. Vance McDonald and Jesse James both led the way with 51 total snaps each, but Xavier Grimble got into the mix with 21 snaps of his own — this was a season high for Grimble.
• With Justin Hunter getting a helmet on game day, he cut into James Washington’s snaps with 14, while Washington played just 16 plays. It should be noted it was Hunter who sprung Antonio Brown on the game-winning touchdown with his controversial block/route/pick.
• So much for easing Vince Williams, who was coming off a hamstring injury, back into the lineup. Williams played 59 snaps, while Jon Bostic, who is healthy, played in just 33. I think we all remember seeing Williams trying to cover AJ Green, right? Not saying Bostic would have done better, but not sure there is a reason to keep Williams on the field so much.
• Terrell Edmunds the new iron man? Edmunds, for the second week in a row, logged every defensive snap of the game, but against the Bengals he was the only player to do so. He registered 61 defensive snaps Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, never taking a play off.

To see all of the Steelers’ snap totals, check the grid below, or by clicking HERE.