METAIRIE, La. -- Defensive end Akiem Hicks was replaced by undrafted rookie Bobby Richardson during the second half of the New Orleans Saints’ 26-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hicks admitted he was “benched” when asked why he played only 28 snaps in the game. Coach Sean Payton disagreed with the term “benched” but acknowledged that he decided to go with some other guys for performance-related reasons.

“It’s pretty common to rotate defensive linemen,” Payton said. “If he felt like he was being benched, then, hey. And after we did that, we had pretty good production defensively. In fact, very good.”

The Saints' defensive front played its best football in the fourth quarter Sunday against Tampa Bay with two sacks (one by outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha and one by defensive end Cameron Jordan) and two forced fumbles (by Kikaha on the sack and by defensive tackle Kevin Williams on a run). And they went with a smaller, faster lineup in general for much of the game with Richardson playing 40 snaps, backup outside linebacker Kasim Edebali playing 23 snaps and recently-signed rookie end Obum Gwacham playing eight snaps.

It’s unclear if the change with Hicks will be permanent. But it’s clearly a disappointing development for the Saints since Hicks ha such immense potential.

I listed the fourth-year pro as one of the reasons for optimism heading into this season since he looked so dynamic in training camp after shedding an estimated 20 pounds. Listed at 6-foot5, 324 pounds, Hicks has tremendous strength and power and a decent amount of athleticism to go with it.

But the 25-year-old has not yet lived up to the potential he showed in 2013, when he had 4.5 sacks and 56 tackles. Last year, Hicks had two sacks and 41 tackles. This year he has no sacks and one tackle.

Hicks said he planned to speak with Payton later Monday afternoon to get more clarity on why he was replaced in the lineup. Speaking on the team in general, Hicks said, "I feel like there’s a lot of things we can do better, and that’s what were gonna focus on. Were gonna get in here and review the tape and hopefully find some answers to the problems were having."