Going into the 2015 NFL regular season, one would think that Philadelphia Eagles rookie linebacker Jordan Hicks wouldn't get too much playing time with the defense because of the talent and experience in front of him at the inside linebacker position.
However, Hicks was thrown into the fire in Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys after both Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) went down with injuries. Alonso is expected to miss a significant amount of time with a partially torn left ACL. Kendricks says he will try to be ready for Week 3 against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Hicks played 64 percent of the snaps on defense against the Cowboys. He accounted for seven total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble (on the play on which Dallas quarterback Tony Romo suffered a fractured clavicle).
"When your number is called, you have to be ready to step up," Hicks said. "It felt real good out there."
Veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans sees a lot of promise in Hicks, who the Eagles selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
"I think the young guy Jordan Hicks came in and stepped up when he was counted on to step up and play ball us," Ryans said on Monday morning. "He did a good job."
It is expected that the rookie out of the University of Texas will get an increased role in the defense due the injuries in the linebacker unit. Hicks claims that his mindset won't change.
"Nothing changes for me (moving forward)," Hicks said. "I've been preparing like I was going to go out there and play. I don't think because I wasn't playing much in the first game (against Atlanta) and wasn't expected to play much in this game (against Dallas) that my preparation should change. It's going to stay exactly the same and I'll prepare just as hard as I have been."
The Eagles will need a big game from Hicks and the rest of the team as they prepare for an away game against the Jets, who have started the season at 2-0 for the first time since 2011.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledlephia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
