Fifth-round pick Stefon Diggs made his first career start in yesterday's win over the Chiefs and played an even bigger role than he did in his debut.
Diggs played 41 of the 73 offensive snaps in the loss to the Broncos in Week 4, fewer than Mike Wallace and Adam Thielen. Yesterday, Diggs played 57 of the 70 snaps, which was the most among Vikings skill position players.
The rookie made the most of that work with seven catches and 129 receiving yards. Both led all players. His 216 receiving yards the past two games is the second-most for a Vikings rookie in his first two games behind only Jim Brim, who was a replacement player during the 1987 strike.
Diggs got the start at split end because Charles Johnson missed his second straight game with a rib injury. And he perhaps got more work because Wallace, who injured his knee in Denver, wasn't quite at full strength.
Wallace played 54 snaps yesterday. Jarius Wright played 31. Thielen played 10. And Cordarrelle Patterson played seven and did not catch a pass.
It will be interesting to see how Diggs is utilized once Johnson returns.
Here are some other observations after seeing the official snap counts:
— With starting right defensive end Everson Griffen sitting out due to an illness, third-round pick Danielle Hunter also made his first career start. Hunter played a career-high 50 snaps, twice as many as he played in the first quarter of the season. He made four tackles, recorded half of a sack and played a role in Kansas City's key fumble late in the game. Veteran defensive end Brian Robison played 53 snaps. Scott Crichton played 20.