Eagles' Carroll earning his increased playing time

Nolan Carroll's playing time has increased from 16 percent of defensive snaps in the first four games to 38 percent in the last three.

There was a combination of factors for the Eagles using the cornerback more in their "dime" defense. With injuries at inside linebacker, coordinator Bill Davis has relied more on lineups with six defensive backs, with Carroll being the sixth. Against recent opponents that often used four-receiver sets, such as the Arizona Cardinals, Davis countered with his dime package.

But mostly it has been the play of Carroll, who had no experience playing the dime prior to his arrival this offseason. He played 30 of 70 snaps against Arizona and made multiple plays against both the pass (a breakup and tackle) and the run (three stops).

"With Nolan right now, what you're seeing is he's got a very clear understanding of what his responsibilities are down in there, and he's playing faster because of it," Davis said this week.

Every team has a dime package. Davis only used his about a handful of times last season. But with the increasing number of pass-heavy offenses in the NFL, it's become imperative to have a sixth defensive back who is versatile and can rove the middle of the field as a quasi-inside linebacker.

The Cardinals have safety Deone Bucannon, who had a pivotal pass breakup against Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. The Houston Texans, who will host the Eagles on Sunday, use starting safety D.J. Swearinger.

"I'm basically playing linebacker," said Carroll, who had been used almost exclusively as an outside cornerback in four seasons with the Dolphins. "The stuff I know on the outside doesn't necessarily apply to the inside. There's a lot more moving parts. There are more people you're dealing with inside. You got to be conscious of that."

Carroll's signing in March was described as one that would provide depth behind outside starters Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher or create competition in the preseason, which it did. While Williams and Fletcher held onto their jobs, Carroll proved too valuable to keep off the field.

Davis had wanted to use more dime as one way to get DeMeco Ryans off the field on passing downs - partly to rest the 30-year-old inside linebacker, but also because opposing offenses targeted him. Unlike Ryans, Carroll generally has no problem keeping up with running backs and tight ends.

"I think Nolan is really growing into that position, has really kind of found a niche in there, and it's really helped us in some of our matchups," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. "Because when you've got . . . the running back, it's, 'Who are you going to put on him?' And if you don't put the linebacker on him, 'Who are we going to put on the tight end?' "

The Eagles give up size with their dime personnel, and opponents have sometimes used that advantage and run the ball at Carroll. Davis is willing to allow some yardage on the ground on third-and-long, typically when he uses the dime, but it can get dicey when he has Carroll on the field on second- or third-and-medium.

Carroll said he's still adjusting to understanding his run-gap responsibilities.

"Run fits is something that you might not necessarily know when you're a corner and you keep everything inside of you," Carroll said. "As a linebacker, you have to spill stuff, slip stuff, and fit into different gaps."

Ryans has been a tremendous help, although Carroll will play primarily with Mychal Kendricks, who is back from a calf injury and who typically is the lone inside linebacker in the dime.

Carroll, who also has a prominent role on special teams, said that he isn't concerned that he's playing less on the outside. Early in the season, Davis had him taking an occasional series in Fletcher's place. But he's been exclusively in the dime in recent weeks.

The Eagles have not talked to him about playing safety, Carroll said, despite Nate Allen's struggles. He said he only played there a few times in college at Maryland but would be willing.

"If worse came to worse, you just apply the same rules from corner to safety," Carroll said. "You see the same things."

Notable. Center Jason Kelce, despite having sports hernia surgery a little over a month ago, and right guard Todd Herremans, despite a torn biceps, were listed as probable for Sunday's game and are expected to start.

Running back Darren Sproles, after missing the Cards game with a knee sprain, and cornerback Brandon Boykin (hamstring) are also probable and expected to play.

Allen was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. If Allen can't play, Earl Wolff is slated to get his first start of the season.

For the Texans, No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney, who has missed most of this season with a knee injury, is unlikely to play because of an unspecified illness.

@Jeff_McLane