Kendricks busy in his return, plus other Vikings snap count observations

Rookie middle linebacker Eric Kendricks, who had missed the previous two games with an injury to his ribs, returned to the starting lineup in yesterday's 30-13 loss to the Packers. Kendricks played 68 of the 77 defensive snaps and was second on the team with seven tackles.

Chad Greenway subbed in for him in the nickel package for one series in the second half. But other than that, Kendricks was an every-down player.

With the Vikings using their nickel personnel so much, Greenway played just 22 snaps after getting 137 in the two games that Kendricks missed.

Starting outside linebacker Anthony Barr played 72 of the 77 snaps.

Jason Trusnik, who signed a couple of weeks ago, played three defensive snaps, his first with the team. Brandon Watts did not play on defense after playing a career-high 23 snaps in last week's win over the Raiders.

Here are some other observations from the NFL's official snap counts:

— After getting out-snapped, 44-23, by fellow defensive tackle Tom Johnson against the Raiders, Sharrif Floyd made his first start since Week 6. Despite getting nicked up again during the loss, Floyd out-snapped Johnson, 44-41. Nose tackle Linval Joseph, meanwhile, played 65 snaps, which was by far his highest total of the season. His backup, Kenrick Ellis, was inactive.

— Trailing, the Vikings were also forced to get away from their multiple-TE sets. Tight end Kyle Rudolph, who caught six passes for a career-high 106 yards and a touchdown, played 54 snaps. But Rhett Ellison played 21, his lowest snap count since Week 2, and rookie MyCole Pruitt got 10.

— Safety Harrison Smith missed five snaps during the first quarter when cornerback Terence Newman accidentally hit him in the knee. Antone Exum filled in for him for four of the snaps. Robert Blanton also played one snap. Andrew Sendejo, meanwhile, played every snap for the sixth straight game.

— Despite playing 52 snaps, second to only Stefon Diggs, Mike Wallace was catchless for the second time in four games. Jarius Wright played 33 snaps while Charles Johnson got just nine. Cordarrelle Patterson played two.

— Rookie defensive end Danielle Hunter played 30 snaps, his highest total since Week 6. Brian Robison, who headed to the locker room briefly due to an illness, played 66 snaps and fellow starter Everson Griffen played 62.