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AP: bae7681b-c267-4c0d-9bc3-6faec61b97a4
Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) celebrates his touchdown run against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
LaRod Stephens-Howling is expected to receive the bulk of the carries at running back for the Arizona Cardinals this week against the Buffalo Bills.

Stephens-Howling, who scored the first touchdown of the season in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, finds himself moving up the depth chart after Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams went down with injuries.

After missing the last two weeks with a hip injury, Stephens-Howling does not seem fazed by the idea of getting more carries and says that past success, like his Week 17 start last season against the Seattle Seahawks, has helped his confidence.

"It's just a regular work week preparing to get most of the load," Stephens-Howling said.

The Cardinals currently have the 30th ranked rushing attack in the NFL, but he knows that needs to change.

"We definitely need to get the running game going," Stephens-Howling said. "It will help out [quarterback Kevin Kolb] and the passing game a lot."

Stephens-Howling has seldom been the feature back during his NFL career, but Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein thinks the 5-foot-7, 185 Pittsburgh alum is more than just a situational player.

"He is a guy that people might call him a 'scat back,'" Sendlein said. "But if you ask him, he will tell you he is an every down back and we believe he is."

Sendlein likes that Stephens-Howling is someone who has been with the team for a while and knows the offense.

"He knows our protections, he knows how to set up blocks," Sendlein said. "It is nothing like preparing someone who hasn't done it before."

Sunday's game against the Bills will mark the first time Stephens-Howling sees a significant workload since his confidence building Week 17 game of last year. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt liked what he saw in that game and hopes that the 25-year-old can build off that performance.

"The last time I saw LaRod as a starter, he went for 92 yards against Seattle's defense," Whisenhunt said. "I am hopeful that he can get that extra eight yards this week."

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    hugUhbear wrote...
    Hope this is mis-direction by Whiz&Co
    On traditional running back carries this season according to the Cards own web site, LSH has 12 attempts and 1 yard gained. Plus, he just this week started working out with the team after a hip-flexor injury. Just what he/we need: a 185lb back, coming of an injury, trying to get 300lb D-line and 250lb LB's to miss him. Put him where he is successful, in space, where he can make defenders miss after you dump the ball of to him.
  • Abuse
    nonsoon wrote...
    Just can't carry the load
    He is what he is. I nice change of pace. A nice screen pass option (if we could ever execute one)..and scat back. He can't carry the load. Not big enough in the blocking scheme, not heavy enough to run when expected up the middle. NFL football require unique size and strength for an every down player. Love the guy, but he is what he is.
  • Abuse
    nonsoon wrote...
    William Powell
    ..needs to get the ball and run like a badger how just freed his foot from the trap. Get the 3 and 4 yards as he can. If he breaks one for 20...great, but we just need something to happen between the tackles.
  • Abuse
    greatbison wrote...
    Great
    He'll get folded in half like any other RB until this team gets a line.
  • Abuse
    cbarnes40 wrote...
    I agree with "hugUhbear"
    LSH should be used for 3rd and long, screen plays, and the hurry up offense since he is coming off an injury. Powell should be the main back with Alfonso Smith getting a few carries. LSH did have one start last year against SEA going for 91 yds on 21 carries, which is a 4.4 yd average. I just worry about his injury and his size with the bulk of the carries.
  • Abuse
    TheNewOriginal wrote...
    Rent a RB
    Cards need to keep an eye on the prize, Getting to and winning the SB, like every quality team expects to do instead of being budget minded and relying on undersized or undrafted RBs to get them where they wish to go. We need to trade for a bruising smashmouth RB not being ultilized by another team. Our two "Star RBs" are done for the season and so will the Cards if they dont open the pocket book and rent a quality RB for the remainder of this season.
  • Abuse
    nonsoon wrote...
    Rent a RB?
    Who do you suggest?
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    like Mike Mayock told CJ...
    If the line blocks for 3-4 yards, GET 3-4 YARDS! You dont have to hit a home run everyplay. If you keep chipping away at it it will eventually split wide open. No one wants to run between the center and guards, but the Cards need to! We cant run between or outside of the tackles. So grab a handful of jewels and run between the Center and Guard with some attitude (like how a RB should) and get those 3-4 yards. eventually, it will split wide open.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    I dont think renting a RB will help
    behind this offensive line. It better be Barry Sanders or Jim Brown in their prime to even consider they will be successful.
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