SAN DIEGO -- It’s not easy to lead a defense by recording eight combined tackles from the nose tackle position.
But that’s what San Diego Chargers defensive linemen Ryan Carrethers accomplished last week in his team’s last-second loss against the Baltimore Ravens.
With Corey Liuget out because of a foot injury and Sean Lissemore limited due to a hamstring issue, Carrethers made the most of his opportunity.
He played in a career-high 37 snaps, mostly as an interior defensive linemen occupying space inside.
“It felt good,” Carrethers said. “I’ve still got a lot more progress to make, but I did pretty well.”
A healthy scratch the first two games of the season, the Chargers slowly worked Carrethers into the defensive line rotation, and he appears to have earned a consistent playing time for the rest of the season.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, Carrethers went through a similar process his rookie season.
Carrethers worked his way into the lineup as a rotational player at defensive tackle, playing 69 snaps.
Carrethers made his first career start against the Oakland Raiders last Nov. 16, totaling four tackles before a dislocated elbow ended his season six games early. Carrethers finished with 12 combined tackles.
Carrethers hopes to see the field on a regular basis after his performance against the Ravens over the weekend.
“I have to remain consistent with my technique and everything,” Carrethers said. “I know I’ve come a long way, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Here’s a closer look at the snap counts for the Chargers in their loss to the Ravens in Week 8:
OFFENSE (Based on 67 snaps)
Quarterback -- Philip Rivers 67.
Running back -- Melvin Gordon 34, Danny Woodhead 25, Branden Oliver 8.
Wide receiver -- Malcom Floyd 64, Stevie Johnson 52, Dontrelle Inman 41, Keenan Allen 40.
Tight end -- Antonio Gates 33, John Phillips 26, Ladarius Green 7, David Johnson 4.
Offensive line -- Trevor Robinson 67, D.J. Fluker 67, Joe Barksdale 67, Kenny Wiggins 65, Chris Hairston 57, Tyreek Burwell 9, King Dunlap 2, Chris Watt 2.
Offensive analysis -- The Chargers have just six drops this season as a team, tied for fifth-best in the NFL. ... Since Week 5, Gordon is averaging just over a yard a carry after first contact, per ESPN Stats & Information. Through the first four weeks of the season, Gordon averaged 2.2 yards per carry after first contact. ... Rivers finished 6 of 11 for 132 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions on third down against the Ravens. He was sacked once, posting a 137.5 passer rating on third down.
DEFENSE (Based on 67 snaps)
Line -- Kendall Reyes 56, Ricardo Mathews 50, Ryan Carrethers 37, Sean Lissemore 25, Corey Liuget 2.
Linebacker -- Melvin Ingram 67, Donald Butler 64, Kavell Conner 60, Jeremiah Attaochu 45, Kyle Emanuel 29, Nick Dzubnar 14, Denzel Perryman 12, Cordarro Law 8.
Secondary -- Jahleel Addae 67, Brandon Flowers 61, Jason Verrett 56, Jimmy Wilson 49, Patrick Robinson 26, Adrian Phillips 25, Steve Williams 22, Darrell Stuckey 7.
Defensive analysis – The Chargers have allowed 1,123 yards after catch this season, third-worst in the NFL. ... San Diego is tied for second-worst in turnovers forced (7), and fifth-worst in points against (28.4). ... Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco finished 5 of 8 for 70 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions on third down against the Chargers. Flacco was sacked once, posting a 130.2 passer rating on third down.