La'Rod

Stephens-Howling

Stephens-Howling suffered both injuries in Sunday’s win over the Panthers. Chester Taylor should be ready to back up Beanie Wells this weekend, so the Cardinals have no reason to hurry back their under-sized third-down back.

Still learning the Cardinals playbook, Taylor was inactive against the Panthers on Sunday. He could serve as Arizona’s No. 2 back this week, however, as LaRod Stephens-Howling is dealing with both hand and biceps injuries. Barring injury to Beanie Wells, Taylor won’t be worth owning in fantasy leagues this season.

Stephens-Howling will be active against the Giants this weekend. Depending on the health of Beanie Wells, LSH could be worth at least considering at the flex spot in deeper PPR leagues. Your expectations for his performance should be low, however.

Stephens-Howling saw increased playing time with Beanie Wells nursing a knee sprain, but didn’t get any carries. Alfonso Smith is the Cardinals’ No. 2 running back. Stephens-Howling is a poor man’s Darren Sproles, playing strictly on passing downs as well as returning all kickoffs.

Stephens-Howling received the second-round tender, which would net him $1.927 million if the current projections hold. Johnson, a former third-round pick, and Toler, a former fourth-rounder, were both assigned “original pick” tenders worth $1.26 million. Expect all three players to return to Arizona.

Stephens-Howling was all but assured of remaining in Arizona after being tendered at the second-round level. Provided 2011 second-round pick Ryan Williams (patellar tendon surgery) is ready to roll, Stephens-Howling will be in for another season of limited offensive snaps.

LSH functioned as the feature back from the jump, as Chester Taylor saw just three carries and Alfonso Smith was shut out. The Cardinals have never trusted Stephens-Howling’s body to hold up in the third-down role much less as the starter. His previous career-high was seven carries in a game. An impending RFA, he won’t have a major offensive role in 2012.

Stephens-Howling had just two touches in regulation, but won the game for Arizona. After catching the lob from Kevin Kolb, he weaved his way through the Cowboys’ defense like the return man he is. LSH will remain a mere specialist for the Cards going forward. His season-high in touches from scrimmage is five.

Urban is speculating here and not reporting. Under the new CBA, the Cardinals would have to commit $1.9 million in order to secure the right to match any offer given to Stephens-Howling (originally a seventh-rounder) and Toler (a fourth-rounder). No team would show interest in either player at the second-round price.

Stephens-Howling is working on a one-year contract after Arizona tendered him at the second-round level in restricted free agency. LSH has been one of the game’s most explosive kickoff returners over the past three years, and his 11.0 average on 39 career receptions is evidence of playmaking ability out of the backfield.