Arizona Cardinals Likely To Play Rob Housler on Sunday

Dec 2, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) is tackled by New York Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace (97) during the game at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals may be getting their number one tight end back this weekend against the New Orleans Saints.  Rob Housler, out since game three of the preseason, is expected to play on Sunday.  How much he’ll be able to contribute remains to be seen.

This much is known though, I don’t think the Cards would be preparing to play him if they didn’t expect him to be a contributor.  No sense in getting him ready to play if he isn’t going to be used.  In his absence the first two weeks of the regular season, Jim Dray has been the man on the end with seven receptions for 52 yards.  The only other tight end to catch a ball was Kory Sperry in week one against the St. Louis Rams when he grabbed one ball for 16 yards.

In week one if you remember, Housler thought he was preparing to play on the Friday before the game only to be announced by head coach Bruce Arians that he would be out.  It was news to him.  Maybe the announcement this early was to ensure the message was clear, this week he will be playing.

Housler needs to come up big.  He’s proven he can be unreliable at times with his hands.  He dropped a wide open touchdown pass in the preseason against the San Diego Chargers.  Then, he got hurt and hasn’t been seen on the field since.