Cleveland Browns place tight end Rob Housler on IR
By Thomas Moore
Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Rob Housler (84) is tackled by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
It would appear that the Rob Housler era has come to a close after the Cleveland Browns placed the tight end on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday.
To take Housler’s place, the club signed defensive back De’Ante Saunders to the active roster. The team announced both moves on its website.
Browns sign DB De'Ante Saunders to active roster, place TE Rob Housler on IR.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 4, 2015
Details » https://t.co/ejoHrcAji0 pic.twitter.com/CjLMZ8gPhk
The Browns signed Housler to a one-year contract in April after he spent the previous four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, where he caught 105 passes for 1,133 yards and a touchdown.
“I like to be able to stretch the defense,” Housler said at the time of the signing. “It will help the guys on the outside. If you can have a tight end that can threaten the safeties down the middle, then it opens up guys on the outside.
“And if you’ve got guys on the outside, like Cleveland does, that can really stretch the field, then it opens up the middle. I’ll bring balance to the passing game and an element to the run game. That’s what I can bring to this team.”
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There was very little stretching of the defense from Housler as he only totaled one reception for six yards.
The Browns signed the 5-foot-9, 187-pound Saunders as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee State in May and he has spent the first eight weeks of the season on the practice squad.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com:
"Saunders’ instincts, play quickness and coverage ability are NFL-level without question, but his lack of size and inability to play the run with consistency hurt his stock. Ultimately, the biggest hindrance to his draft stock will likely be concerns over his character. Saunders has punt return ability and must play in the slot as an NFL cornerback."
Additionally, one unnamed defensive backs coach from an AFC team told NFL.com that:
"“He’s a good football player, but his character makes him undraftable. At least he’s off of our board. If he were 6-foot-1 with these issues, he would get drafted. He’s under 5-9 so he won’t get drafted. Plus, he won’t tackle. You have to tackle in our league or you will get worn out.”"
Saunders was named a second-team FCS All-American by the Associated Press following his senior year at Tennessee State, where he made 51 total tackles and intercepted five passes in 12 starts.
He transferred to Tennessee State after playing two seasons at Florida, where he was suspended the first two games of the 2012 season and did not play in the final two games.