GLENDALE, Ariz. – Tyrique Stevenson didn’t start Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. He entered in the third series and again from the fifth drive on, after Terrell Smith suffered an ankle injury.

His removal from the starting lineup was a result of his actions on the final play of a loss to Washington the week prior, when he was interacting with fans and had his back to the play when a successful Hail Mary attempt began. He also didn’t fulfill his assignment to cover Noah Brown, who caught the game-winning score.

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Head coach Matt Eberflus informed Stevenson on Wednesday that he was being temporarily demoted.

“My feelings were a little hurt,” Stevenson said after Sunday’s 29-9 loss to Arizona. “I was disappointed, but decisions were made. I can’t go against those decisions. I’m going to be a team player. I’m going to be a great guy for this team, and that’s what I set out to do this week.”

Eberflus had an individual meeting with Stevenson prior to that, and the head coach’s messaging was clear.

“Just to be there for the guys,” Stevenson said. “The guys are looking to see how I respond. The guys respect me, so I couldn’t come in with my head down. I came in and showed them boys I’m willing to work. That’s what happened this week.”

Stevenson was a productive member of the defense, with a team-high seven tackles and two passes defensed. Eberflus was impressed by Stevenson’s overall esponse to a week where he took some heat on social media from the Bears fan base.

“He put his best foot forward,” Eberflus said. “His teammates, his coaches and all of us in that circle have his back and that’s where it is.”

Let’s go back, for a second, to the moment Stevenson was told he wouldn’t be starting. The second-year pro did need a moment to process the bad news, temporarily leaving the practice field for a few moments before returning to it.

“I feel like we’re all human,” Stevenson said. “I feel like, if you don’t hear something you want to hear, people should be allowed to walk away and collect themselves.”

While a FOX Sports report suggested his teammates were bothered by the reaction, Stevenson didn’t view it that way.

“Guys know who I am. Guys know how passionate I am,” Stevenson said. “They know that all I want to do is win, and I want to lay myself on the line for them. Nothing was looked at different. Nobody said anything. Everything was 100. We finished practice and went on with our day.”

Stevenson admitted the last week has had its challenges and has set out to prove that one play doesn’t define him. That doesn’t mean he disregards what happened now that it’s in the rearview. It was a learning experience he’ll always keep with him.

“You don’t put things like that aside,” he said. “You take them as they go, and you add them to the resume. I feel like this will build my resume and always keep me locked in until the end of the game.”