For Player Like Dan Chisena, Preseason Crucial For Livelihood

Wide receiver fights for Cardinals roster spot heading into Colts game

Aug 16, 2024 at 12:02 PM

Darren Urban

azcardinals.com

Wide receiver Dan Chisena runs upfield after the catch during last week's game against the Saints.

CARMEL, Indiana – As the clock bled down in the fourth quarter of the first preseason game, Dan Chisena had his star turn.

Most fans aren't familiar with Chisena, the Cardinals wide receiver who spent the final two months of the season on the team's practice squad or active roster and appeared in four games on special teams. He gets that. Then, if someone was still tuning in late to the Cardinals-Saints game last week, they saw a guy pile up five catches for 63 yards and earn – for what it's worth – a team-best 90.0 grade from Pro Football Focus.

It by no means earned him a roster spot. But it is why preseason games – like Saturday's game for the Cardinals against the Colts in Indianapolis -- matter, perhaps not to the names with which everyone knows but the others.

"It's hard," Chisena said, "but I am very thankful for it."

The main conversation this time of year, understandably so, is about Kyler Murray's absence in any preseason games, or how much No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. might play, or who is getting the quality reps at left guard or cornerback No. 2.

Those are real concerns and will weigh on what the Cardinals look and/or play like in Week 1 of the regular season.

Yet there are guys like Chisena, or guard Marquis Hayes, or safety Darren Hall, for example, who fight just to have a job of some kind in the NFL.

Chisena had done well on special teams with the Vikings the first few years of his career before they let him go after the 2022 season. He signed with the Steelers in the offseason but was cut in late August. He had knee surgery before the Vikings signed him to their practice squad in October.

About a month later, he was released, and the Cardinals signed him to their practice squad a day later. He was cut a couple of times and re-signed days later for roster reasons, but he stayed with the Cardinals until the end of the regular season when his practice squad contract ran out, and the Ravens – in the playoffs – brought him in for their practice squad. He ended up appearing in both Baltimore playoff games.

The day after the Ravens released him, the Cardinals signed him to a futures deal for 2024.

In all, Chisena was cut or signed 10 times from Aug. 26 to Feb. 6, and that doesn't include his five practice squad elevations.

"It was a lot of all over the place," he said. "You always want more stability.

"You never want to be cut. But if you do, in a way you become numb to it."

The Cardinals spent the week practicing against the Colts, a crucial time for those key players – like Murray – who won't see the field in the preseason.

Chisena was under the microscope too, although he'll have more reps in the game. Harrison and Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch have locked up the team's first three receiving slots, but beyond that? Veteran Zay Jones has the resumé, as does Chris Moore. Rookie Zavier Weaver has made noise. Chisena took advantage of his preseason opportunity.

The Cardinals will have difficult decisions at many positions. That's what they wanted, too. Chisena would like to make it harder every time he shows up on the field.

"I just look at it that any time I have a chance to work in this business, it's a blessing," he said.

He'll work against the Colts Saturday night.

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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the joint practice between the Arizona Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN.