OWINGS MILLS — Hampered by a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for the past two games, Arizona Cardinals tight end Todd Heap is hoping he’ll manage to return for Sunday’s game against his old football team: the Baltimore Ravens.
Cut by the Ravens for $4.6 million worth of salary-cap reasons and replaced by Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, Heap was in Baltimore for a decade.
Now, the former Arizona State star is looking to play a winning role for the one-win Cardinals as he plays for his hometown team.
"I’m taking it day to day right now," Heap told Arizona reporters. "I’m hoping I’ll be ready."
Heap has caught 13 passes for 150 yards in four games with two starts.
He wasn’t expecting to be cut by the Ravens prior to training camp, but quickly signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Cardinals.
"It’s something that hit me out of left field," Heap said. "I didn’t see it coming," Heap said. "This is one of the games I looked at and was definitely excited about."
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he has a lot of respect for Heap.
"I will be happy to see Todd," Harbaugh said. "I like Todd a lot. He is a great guy. I had three good years with him here. He is obviously a big part of the Ravens’ tradition and an important part of the Ravens.
"But really, Sunday, to be honest with you, he is going to be a Cardinal. That’s how I am looking at it, and that’s how our team is looking at it."
During a conference call with Arizona reporters, Harbaugh expanded on his thoughts regarding Heap.
"Todd, I’m sure, was hoping to finish here," Harbaugh said. "He is so popular in the community. He’s just such a good guy.
"I think it was probably hard for him. He just handled it with class and grace, just what you would have expected."
