Until this season, Averett had played only sporadically on defense, a backup to players such as Humphrey, Peters, Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr. Averett started seven games during his first three seasons.
This year, Averett is playing virtually every defensive snap.
“There’s nothing like game reps,” Averett said. “You can practice all the time, but the game reps, that’s what gets your mind going.”
Smith, whose transition to safety was made possible in part by Averett’s development, said, “We talk a lot about [how] being in a full-time role is a little different than spot playing.