Bruce Arians praises play of Josh Mauro, rookie would have gotten game ball

There was a surprise player in the lineup on Sunday for the Arizona Cardinals when they played the Seattle Seahawks. When inactive lists were announced, newly signed defensive lineman Josh Mauro wasn't on it. Then, when the defense took the field, Mauro was out there in the nickel/dime package to start the game.

Mauro had just nine days earlier been plucked from the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.

He played 22 snaps and made an impact. The stat sheet ended up showing just two tackles, but he was very active and around the ball on every single play he was out there, it seemed.

He played the role that Ed Stinson normally does, setting the edge in dime sets as a third defensive lineman. With Stinson out still with a toe injury, Mauro was a great addition.

When Bruce Arians spoke to reporters on Monday, he had good things to say about Mauro.

"Josh Mauro would have gotten a game ball if we would have won the game," Arians said (via Arizona Sports). "He played his tail off, stout at the point of attack. Really, really nice surprise."

Can we expect more from the rookie? As long as Stinson is out and until Matt Shaughnessy returns from injured reserve, we should see more of the big undrafted rookie.