Bears' Tyrique Stevenson plays in loss to Cardinals but doesn't start

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- One week after his actions played a significant role in the Chicago Bears losing on a Hail Mary in Washington, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson did not start against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Bears had planned to rotate Stevenson with cornerback Terell Smith, but an ankle injury limited Smith to nine snaps on Sunday. Stevenson entered the game for the defense's third series and played the majority (45 of 57 defensive snaps) of Chicago's 29-9 loss at Arizona.

Though Bears coach Matt Eberflus would not discuss last week whether Stevenson would face punishment for jawing with fans on the final two plays of Chicago's 18-15 loss at Washington -- which caused him to miss his assignment on the Hail Mary -- the cornerback found out he would not start ahead of Wednesday's practice.

A source told ESPN that Stevenson left the practice, which was a walk-through, and went back to the Bears' locker room to gather himself before returning to the field. He did not miss any of the team portions, according to the source.

"I feel like we're all human," Stevenson said. "I feel like if we don't hear something that you want to hear, I feel like everybody has the opportunity to walk away and collect themselves."

The cornerback added that he felt the support of his teammates throughout the week, despite leaving practice briefly on Wednesday.

"Guys know who I am," he said. "Guys know how passionate I am. They know that all I want to do is win and come in here and lay myself on the line for them. So, nothing was looked at different. Nobody said anything. I went out there and finished practice and then went out there."

Stevenson was supposed to be the last line of defense and box out Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown on the final play in Washington. Instead, Stevenson sprinted to the scrum at the front of the end zone and tipped the ball into Brown's hands for a walk-off touchdown.

Stevenson said he respected the decision to bench him for the start of the game.

"Honestly, probably [my] feelings were a little hurt," Stevenson said. "Feeling disappointed, but the decision was made. I can't go against the decisions. I'm here to be a team player, be great guy for this team, and that's what I stood out to do this week."

The former second-round pick notched seven tackles and two passes defensed in Arizona.

"Like I've said before, we've made decisions for Tyrique," Eberflus said. "You guys saw that he didn't start, and that's where it is. Tyrique, like I said on Friday, had a really good week of practice. He played well today, had a good pass breakup, had some nice tackles, so he put his best foot forward. His teammates, his coaches and all of us in that circle have his back and that's where it is."