Raiders make a switch: Ben Heeney loses green dot

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 27: Wide receiver Tajae Sharpe #19 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball while pursued by outside linebacker Ben Heeney #50 of the Oakland Raiders in the first half of their preseason football game at the Oakland Colsieum on August 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 27: Wide receiver Tajae Sharpe #19 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball while pursued by outside linebacker Ben Heeney #50 of the Oakland Raiders in the first half of their preseason ... more Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Raiders make a switch: Ben Heeney loses green dot 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

A lot was made in training camp of the Raiders coaches’ decision to give second-year middle linebacker Ben Heeney the helmet with the green dot. He would be the defensive signal caller, getting the radio instructions from defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and relaying them to his teammates.

Well, Heeney lost those responsibilities before Sunday’s season opener, as coach Jack Del Rio gave the dot back to linebacker Malcolm Smith, who wore the helmet with the communication device last season.

Del Rio downplayed the switch when asked by The Chronicle, saying he made it only because Smith “would be on the field for more formations.” Del Rio was talking big picture and not just the Saints game Sunday, as Heeney and Smith both played all 69 defensive snaps.

Heeney’s loss of the green dot, which he had said had been his goal to receive, is not necessarily a big deal in the short term. But it could be a sign that sixth-round pick Cory James may take some snaps away from Heeney soon. James, who had only one defensive snap on the road Sunday, had a strong preseason.

“I think both guys are guys we’ll count on to play a good amount for us this year,” Del Rio said before the opener.

The 6-foot, 230-pound Heeney, who started three games last season, had said he was much more comfortable in Norton and Del Rio’s defense than he was last season. The 2015 fifth-round pick out of Kansas had three tackles in Sunday’s 35-34 win.

James, at 6-1, 229, is also an undersized linebacker. He is still getting comfortable in the middle after playing at defensive end, outside and inside linebacker for Colorado State last year.

“We just put him behind the ball and he’s done a great job of learning it, applying it and going out there and making plays,” linebackers coach Sal Sunseri said before the opener. “He has excellent instincts and a natural feel for where the ball is going. I am really excited about him.”

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Sunseri also had high praise for Heeney.

“Ben has become a more intelligent player, as far as understanding exactly what we’re looking for,” Sunseri said. “He’s improved on his assignments and he still flies around and makes the plays he needs to make.”

Heeney will still have a chance to do that Sunday against the Falcons, just without the green dot.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur