In spots, yes. And it doesn’t have to be Collins, I think more significantly it’s Mayo because there wasn’t another linebacker who could run like him after he went down. Assuming full health this year, I’d predict the sub/regular numbers will shift down closer to what they were the last few years – regular 60-65% of the time.
It’s not a coincidence that the last two seasons when Mayo went down they’ve gone to their sub defense the most.
Still, when it comes down to an obvious passing situation I think they’ll probably pull Hightower most often for the extra DB, though he could have an additional role as a sub-rusher in some spots.
