Housler finished with two catches (on two targets) for 27 yards in Thursday's preseason game against the Bills.

Housler's 27 yards ranked second among Browns pass-catchers Thursday and he caught both passes intended for him as well. With blocking specialists Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray his competition for snaps at tight end, Housler could foreseeably assume a significant role in Cleveland's passing game this season if he proves to be a reliable target.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine said it is obvious that Housler needs to work on his catching, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Housler has reportedly struggled at training camp, including two or three drops Tuesday alone. He managed to find work with a team that's badly in need of playmakers in the passing game, yet he's still only listed third on the initial depth chart, behind blockers Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. While Housler still has a very real shot to emerge as Cleveland's top receiving threat at tight end, but that won't necessarily be saying a whole lot, as it's not an impressive group.

Housler has signed a one-year, $1.76 million contract with the Browns, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Housler, who will help fill the void left by the departure of Jordan Cameron, will join a Cleveland tight end corps that also includes Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge. While Housler recorded just nine catches for 129 yards in 15 games for the Cards this past season, he has the athletic ability to emerge as a vertical threat at the position for the Browns, given the increased target load he seems bound to earn in 2015.

Housler will visit the Browns on Wednesday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Housler played 15 games with the Cardinals in 2014, but was limited to just nine receptions on 17 targets. If the two sides are able to agree to a deal, Housler would likely end up competing for reps with Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray in what would amount to a timeshare situation. The Browns, who continue to search for a replacement for Jordan Cameron, had expressed interest in Housler earlier in the offseason.

Housler played 30 of the Cardinals' 70 offensive snaps during Sunday's loss in San Francisco, Football Outsiders reports.

Playing second (or third) fiddle to fellow tight end Darren Fells (48 snaps) for the fourth game in a row, Housler still managed to gather in one of two targets for 20 yards in the season finale. Housler's line for the year (nine catches for 129 yards) is a far cry from past campaigns, which is unlikely to change in Saturday's wild-card contest at Carolina with deep reserve Ryan Lindley again under center.

Housler took the field for 19 of the Cardinals' 64 offensive snaps during Thursday's victory in St. Louis, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Darren Fells earned far more run than fellow tight ends John Carlson (21 snaps) and Housler for the second game in a row, with 47 in all. While Housler himself wasn't targeted but took one carry for one yard, the quarterback situation in Arizona is unstable due to Drew Stanton's knee sprain, meaning owners should continue to sidestep their TE trio.

Housler played 21 of the Cardinals' 69 offensive snaps during Sunday's victory against the Chiefs, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Housler hauled in his only target for 20 yards, representing the primary contribution to the box score from a Cardinals tight end. However, he was doubled up in the snap game by fellow TE Darren Fells (42 versus 21), while John Carlson picked up 17. Because Housler and Carlson have left much to be desired as blockers this season, Fells, a former pro basketball player, may have risen to the top on the backs of his blocking prowess. In any case, Carlson has only mustered seven catches for 96 yards this season, meaning he should remain on the scrap heap as the fantasy playoffs continue.

Housler played 17 of the Cardinals' 66 offensive snaps during Sunday's victory versus the Rams, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Housler has averaged more than a target per game this season -- 1.4, to be exact -- but he only recorded his fifth reception of the season Sunday. On a positive note, he was on the receiving end of Drew Stanton's first pass following Carson Palmer's knee injury. Coach Bruce Arians is apt to put Stanton in the best situation to succeed, which could be a boon to Housler's previously waning prospects.

Housler played 31-of-70 offensive snaps during Sunday's victory against Washington, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Once again, Housler fell far behind John Carlson (59) in terms of snaps, a trend that is showing no signs of letting up. Housler himself tripled his catch count on the season, though, hauling in two balls (on three targets) for 15 yards. If in desperate need of a tight end in a given week, the scorched earth nature of the waiver wire should yield a more productive tight end option, ensuring Housler's residence on the sideline in fantasy.

Housler (hip) is listed as active Sunday in Denver, Mark Dalton of the Cardinals' official site reports.

With Drew Stanton again under center in place of Carson Palmer (shoulder), Housler isn't a great bet to aid fantasy pursuits, considering Stanton avoided the tight end during 25 snaps in Week 2, or Housler's last appearance.

Housler (hip) is probable for Sunday's game against Denver.

Housler is ready to go for Sunday, but with just a 16-yard catch on the year he isn't much of a fantasy consideration these days.

Housler (hip) practiced in full Wednesday, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Housler was deemed inactive in the last game prior to the Cardinals' Week 4 bye, but his current activity level will likely result in active status Sunday in Denver. It remains to be seen if he can factor into a passing game directed by backup quarterback Drew Stanton, who didn't target Housler during the tight end's 25 snaps in Week 2.

Housler (hip) is inactive Sunday versus the 49ers, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 91o Phoenix reports.

After garnering three targets in the opener, Housler didn't connect with Drew Stanton in Week 2 with Carson Palmer (shoulder) out of commission, failing to have one ball come his direction. Meanwhile, John Carlson has missed just 11-of-138 snaps this season acting as the primary tight end.

Housler (hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco.

Housler didn't practice Thursday or Friday, so it's possible that he's close to doubtful. With just three targets in two games, he's pretty much off the fantasy radar, anyway.

Housler wasn't targeted during Sunday's win versus the Giants in New York and took the field for just 25-of-68 offense snaps for the Cardinals, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

The breakdown of snaps among Arizona's tight ends changed little from the opener -- 66 for John Carlson and 17 for rookie Troy Niklas on Sunday -- but both options were considered in the passing game by Drew Stanton, totaling three receptions for 59 yards in Week 2. Housler is the clear second fiddle to Carlson in the tight end pecking order, which hasn't afforded much relevance in fantasy to date.

Housler played 20-of-70 offensive snaps during Monday's win against the Chargers, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Despite earning 41 less snaps than fellow tight end John Carlson, their respective lines were nearly identical, with Carlson gathering in his only target for 20 yards, while Housler caught one pass (on three targets) for 16 yards. Meanwhile, rookie Troy Niklas wasn't targeted on his 12 snaps, which isn't surprising behind two veteran options. Considering his overwhelming snap count compared to the other two, Carlson is the Cardinals' tight end to own, but the team's lack of a fullback forces more blocking assignments than the typical TE corps.

Housler started Saturday's preseason opener against the Texans, ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reports.

Following a disappointing, injury-plagued 2013 season, Housler is thought to be competing for playing time with free-agent acquisition John Carlson and second-round draft pick Troy Niklas. Housler is talented enough to emerge from the pack, and he turned his only target in Saturday's game into a 38-yard gain. However, Carlson is listed first on the depth chart, and he may cut into Housler's value, even if Housler wins out.

ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss believes Rob Housler is "sitting at No. 4 right now" on Arizona's tight end depth chart, behind John Carlson, Jake Ballard, and rookie Troy Niklas.

"He's just not the type of tight end head coach Bruce Arians prefers," Weinfuss writes. The Cardinals' website seems to agree, also projecting Carlson and Ballard ahead of Housler. Once Niklas (hand surgery) gets healthy, it will be interesting to see if Housler goes on the trade block. The Patriots, Giants, Packers, and Falcons could also use an athletic, catch-first tight end.

The Cardinals' website projects John Carlson and Jake Ballard as Arizona's top two tight ends to open the season.

Beat writer Darren Urban acknowledges Rob Housler "still has a chance to work his way into the lineup," but injured rookie Troy Niklas (broken hand) "is far behind right now." Coach Bruce Arians prefers his tight ends to be strong blockers. If the depth chart holds and Niklas gets healthy in training camp, we wouldn't be shocked if Housler were floated in trade offers by the Cards.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says contract-year TE Rob Housler has had a "fantastic" offseason.

We're a bit skeptical about this coachspeak, particularly after the Cardinals' own website recently placed Housler on the roster bubble. A catch-first tight end, Housler's skill set has always been a tough schematic fit under Arians, who prefers his tight ends to be blockers. After Arizona drafted Troy Niklas in the second round, it's conceivable Housler will go on the trade block in camp. We've lost hope for his fantasy outlook in the desert.