Penalties mess with who is credited with stats. Most senerios most stats get negated, but in some like the start of your last playoff game messed with games played and starts.
There was a hold that negated all stats...just so happens when a guy gets credit for gamesplayed/starts its the first time they touch on the feild for an offensive or defensive possession.
Similar to a SLB or NB getting the start....It depends on the first formation they come out in..normal or nickle.....but in your case its a combo of both logics.
The penalty negating all stats is the biggest offender here to get the games played/starts missing....a bit of a bug that needs some refinement. If it were declined perhaps stats would talley correct but something is off there.