Patriots vs. Dolphins snap counts: Marte Mapu sees heavy workload ...

Leading into their Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots saw some reinforcements arrives. Safety/linebacker hybrid Marte Mapu and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne both returned to practice, and were subsequently activated off of injured reserve and the physically unable to perform list, respectively.

While the latter played a comparatively small role in his comeback — Bourne was on the field for 16 of 60 offensive snaps and caught one 6-yard pass — Mapu was heavily involved in his first game of the season.

With starting safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers both inactive due to injury, the sophomore was on the field for all 78 defensive snaps. Lining up all over the secondary, he registered six tackles and a pass breakup; he was also active as a communicative link between the second and third levels of the defense.

In addition, the 2023 third-round draft pick played 15 of 26 special teams snaps (58%). He came away with the football after the blocked punt by teammate Brenden Schooler.

All in all, it was a promising start for Mapu and a potential glimpse into how the Patriots want to use him moving forward.

With that said, here is our full snap count report from the Patriots’ 15-10 loss to the Dolphins.

Total snaps: 60 | Time on the field: 24:47

QB Jacoby Brissett (60; 100%), WR Ja’Lynn Polk (60; 100%), LT Vederian Lowe (60; 100%), LG Michael Jordan (60; 100%), C Nick Leverett (60; 100%), RG Michael Onwenu (60; 100%), RT Demontrey Jacobs (60; 100%), TE Hunter Henry (56; 93%), WR Kayshon Boutte (40; 67%), WR DeMario Douglas (40; 67%), RB Antonio Gibson (28; 47%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (28; 47%), TE Austin Hooper (25; 42%), WR Kendrick Bourne (16; 27%), RB JaMycal Hasty (3; 5%), OT/TE Zachary Thomas (3; 5%), WR Tyquan Thornton (1; 2%)

*denotes starter

The Patriots offense had a season-high seven players go wire-to-wire against Miami. Besides the reshuffled starting O-line, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk also were on the field for every one of Sunday’s 60 snaps. Polk being part of the group is noteworthy, and further proof of his ascension to a core member of New England’s wide receiver group.

The other wideouts, meanwhile, played rotational roles. As noted above, Kendrick Bourne was on a snap count in his season debut which in turn led to a primary trio of Polk, DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte; the latter two each played 40 snaps. Tyquan Thornton, who was the starting X-receiver in training camp, played only one snap and was effectively replaced by Boutte in the lineup; his days appear to be numbered.

The running back position was headlined by Antonio Gibson, who drew the start in place of Rhamondre Stevenson. However, the regular starter ended up seeing the same number of snaps and actually out-performed his teammate: Stevenson touched the ball 16 times for 92 yards and a touchdown; Gibson gained 56 yards on seven combined carries and catches.

Total snaps: 78 | Time on the field: 33:10

S Marte Mapu (78; 100%), S Jaylinn Hawkins (78; 100%), CB Christian Gonzalez (75; 96%), LB/ED Jahlani Tavai (66; 85%), DE/ED Keion White (57; 73%), S Dell Pettus (54; 69%), ED Anfernee Jennings (54; 69%), DT Daniel Ekuale (53; 68%), DT Davon Godchaux (53; 68%), CB Jonathan Jones (52; 67%), LB Raekwon McMillan (51; 65%), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (36; 46%), CB Marcus Jones (28; 36%), CB Marco Wilson (27; 35%), LB Christian Elliss (26; 33%), ED Joshua Uche (24; 31%), DT Jaquelin Roy (22; 28%), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (21; 27%), LB Curtis Jacobs (3; 4%)

*denotes starter

Marte Mapu was one of two players to not miss a defensive snap on Sunday; the other was fellow safety Jaylinn Hawkins. The pair filled the shoes typically worn by the injured Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, with Mapu a do-it-all player and Hawkins more in the mold of a traditional free safety.

They also were joined by undrafted rookie Dell Pettus for 54 snaps. Pettus actually was DB4 on the day, seeing more reps than starting cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones — likely a result of Miami deciding to go run-heavy with a third-string quarterback in the lineup.

In the front seven, the Patriots used their usual configuration. The only noteworthy development was Anfernee Jennings’ return as the top edge defender; his presence allowed Joshua Uche to move back into more of a specialized pass rusher role after he struggled in a bigger capacity last week versus the San Francisco 49ers.

Total snaps: 26 | Time on the field: 2:03

LB Christian Elliss (23; 88%), S Brenden Schooler (23; 88%), CB Marcellas Dial Jr. (23; 88%), LB Raekwon McMillan (19; 73%), S Dell Pettus (18; 69%), LB Curtis Jacobs (18; 69%), S Marte Mapu (15; 58%), S Jaylinn Hawkins (13; 50%), LB Jahlani Tavai (11; 42%), ED Ochaun Mathis (11; 42%), RB/KR JaMycal Hasty (10; 38%), P/H Bryce Baringer (9; 35%), LS Joe Cardona (9; 35%), DE Keion White (8; 31%), CB Marco Wilson (7; 27%), CB Isaiah Bolden (7; 27%), K Joey Slye (6; 23%), WR Kayshon Boutte (5; 19%), RB/KR Antonio Gibson (5; 19%), DT Daniel Ekuale (5; 19%), DT Davon Godchaux (5; 19%), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (5; 19%), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (5; 19%), CB/PR Marcus Jones (4; 15%), OT Demontrey Jacobs (3; 12%), G Michael Jordan (3; 12%), G Michael Onwenu (3; 12%), TE Austin Hooper (3; 12%), OT Zachary Thomas (3; 12%), G Sidy Sow (3; 12%), G Layden Robinson (3; 12%), ED Joshua Uche (1; 4%)

The Patriots’ special teams group had an up-and-down day, and along the way relied on its usual cast of characters. Two names are still worth mentioning, though: Sidy Sow and Layden Robinson, who played three snaps as part of the field goal and extra point protection units. The two started last week’s game in San Francisco at left and right guard, respectively, but were limited to the kicking game on Sunday.

QB Drake Maye, C Bryan Hudson, DT Eric Johnson

Even with Jacoby Brissett continuing to play lukewarm football, the Patriots held onto their starter throughout the game. This meant that first-round draft pick Drake Maye remained on the sidelines for a fourth time in five games.

WR K.J. Osborn, S Jabrill Peppers, WR Javon Baker, QB Joe Milton III, S Kyle Dugger, DE Jamree Kromah, TE Jaheim Bell

The Patriots had to rule three of their players out due to injury ahead of Sunday’s game, and all of them likely would have been regulars on their respective units if healthy. K.J. Osborn on offense as well as starting safeties Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger on defense were unable to suit up; they were joined on the inactives list by four healthy scratches.