GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers wanted to give Letroy Guion as much work as possible in Thursday's preseason finale because it will be a month before he gets his next game action.
So in his last chance to play before his three-game suspension kicks in, Guion played 61 percent of the defensive snaps in Thursday's preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.
With B.J. Raji held out, Guion started at nose tackle but was not credited with any defensive stats (no tackles or quarterback hits).
At least he got a good workout in.
Guion had played only 22 snaps in the preseason. He missed the opener against the Patriots because of a hamstring injury and then played 11 snaps both against the Steelers and Eagles.
"It felt pretty good, the first time out there really going for a long period of time," Guion said after Thursday's game. "It was good to open up the lungs and get that good, deep, hard breather in before I'm going to be out for a while."
Guion said he plans to stay in Green Bay and work out at the team facility, as the rules allow, during his three-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. He will be eligible to play on Oct. 4 at San Francisco.
Here's a look at the defensive snap counts from Thursday’s 38-10 victory over the Saints (the offensive breakdown can be found here):
Total defensive snaps: 62
Defensive line
Letroy Guion: 38
Bruce Gaston: 33
Christian Ringo: 32
Khyri Thornton: 30
Josh Boyd: 9
Mike Daniels: 6
Mike Pennel: 5
Notes: Daniels was one of only two starters to play on defense. Gaston finished a strong preseason with two quarterback hits. Thornton had two tackles, but it might not be enough to get the 2014 third-round pick a roster spot after a second straight disappointing summer.
Linebackers
Jayrone Elliott: 41
James Vaughters: 32
Jake Ryan: 32
Nate Palmer: 30
Joe Thomas: 25
Carl Bradford: 25
Andy Mulumba: 24
Nick Perry: 19
Mike Neal: 6
Notes: Neal was the only other defensive starter to play. He and Perry started as the outside linebackers. Palmer and Bradford opened at the inside spots. Mulumba replaced Neal early on and Elliott late replaced Perry. Ryan and Thomas opened the second half at the inside spots.
Defensive backs
Chris Banjo: 53
LaDarius Gunter: 46
Quinten Rollins: 43
Jean Fanor: 42
Sean Richardson: 39
Ryan White: 23
Notes: With Casey Hayward and Sam Shields held out, Randall started at left cornerback and Gunter on the right. Rollins played the nickel in place of Micah Hyde (out with a neck injury). Randall was beaten on the first snap for a 45-yard completion. Banjo and Richardson opened as the safeties in place of Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (who played only on special teams). Banjo had two pass breakups and an interception. Glover-Wright also picked off a pass.
