On Monday night, when the Chicago Bears’ offense got onto the field late in the third quarter at their 24-yard line, down 22-7, Jordan Hicks was a spectator.
The Eagles’ starting middle linebacker stood on the sideline with his helmet propped up on his head as veteran 31-year-old Stephen Tulloch came out in his place.
When asked why, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was coy.
“It was a coaching decision,” Schwartz said Thursday. “He made a big hit on that play. Just leave it at that.”
When pressed about Tulloch’s role going forward, Schwartz said he didn’t know and then that he isn’t big on talking about who is going to play in which package or how much.
“I'm sorry, it's not that I'm trying to keep stuff from you,” Schwartz said. “I just feel like that's stuff that's best for the opponent to figure out on Sunday.”
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Tulloch played well on that series late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, where he picked up a few of his 12 defensive snaps. He had a big hit on Alshon Jeffery after a first down and would have probably scooped up a fumble if cornerback Ron Brooks didn’t beat him to it first.
He played well, but it was still a curious decision. Hicks isn’t just the Eagles’ starting MIKE linebacker, he’s one of the biggest defensive playmakers the team has.
“That’s the rotation that they’ve put in place,” Hicks said. “Tully’s a great player. They like that rotation, they like putting him in, letting him get a feel for the game as well. For me, no, I mean, when I’m getting in a groove, going out a series doesn’t necessarily hurt me at all. Once I get into it, I’m locked in.”
Could the breaks actually help him?
“Absolutely,” he said. “Especially if I’m rotating in on special teams here or there. No question.”
Tulloch was signed shortly before the season began after seventh-round pick Joe Walker suffered a torn ACL. The veteran already knew Schwartz’s defense inside and out upon his arrival, after playing under Schwartz in Tennessee and Detroit.
Tulloch wouldn’t say if he expects his role to increase, decrease or stay the same. But he did say he enjoyed playing his first defensive snaps as an Eagle on Monday. And he understands the value he can have as a backup player who gives the starter a chance to rest.
“I think that’s just the way the game is now,” Tulloch said. “A lot of guys play special teams and on defense as well. Whenever you can give a guy a blow to keep him fresh. It’s a long season, as you know, playing week in and week out. It’s a lot of wear and tear on the body, so whenever you give guys a breather, especially guys that understand the defense and there’s no let-off. Try to get them a little breather and get them back out there.”
Starting WILL linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who has been the odd man out in the team’s nickel package, is questionable heading into Sunday’s game against the Steelers with a broken nose and quad contusion.
There’s also been some outside thought the team could, at times, put Tulloch in the game at MIKE and slide Hicks to WILL if Kendricks begins to struggle. Hicks said he’s worked at the WILL, as well as the SAM, for depth purposes and could play there if need be.
For now, though, Hicks is the starter and Tulloch is a capable backup off the bench, who looked pretty good in limited action against the Bears.
“He looked like an 11-year vet,” Hicks said. “He’s played a lot of football. I’m sure when you get to that point, it doesn’t take much to just fall back on who you are and who you’ve always been and all those games you’ve played before.”
