Cardinals TE Niklas on first two career TDs: 'It was pretty awesome'
Tight end Troy Niklas understands he'll never be confused with Rob Gronkowski, but for one game he got a taste of what it feels like to be more than just a blocker.
Niklas played an integral role in the Arizona Cardinals 34-20 victory at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, hauling in the first two touchdown catches of his career. Given that they were only the second and third receptions of the season for Niklas, it was easy to understand his satisfaction.
"It was pretty awesome," Niklas told reporters after becoming the second tight end with multiple receiving touchdowns since Arizona moved to the desert in 1988. "Words can't really describe it, but I was happy to get a couple of scores for the team."
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Niklas, in his second season out of Notre Dame, has seen a rise in playing time since starting tight end Darren Fells sustained a shoulder injury in Week 6 at Pittsburgh. Even then, Niklas has served primarily as a blocker in two-tight end sets with Jermaine Gresham.
Niklas had three receptions in his rookie season and one catch this year before latching onto an 11-yard scoring pass from Carson Palmer in the first quarter. He also caught the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard toss in the third quarter.
“It’s huge for me,” Niklas said. “Just having all my injuries and kind of breaking away a little bit. It’s just a start – I’ve still got a lot of work to do – but it’s a good start.”
Before Troy Niklas today, last Cards TE w 2 TDs in a game: Leonard Pope 11/11/07 vs DET #AZvsCLE
— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) November 1, 2015
-
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
-
Super Bowl locations, dates for 2025, 2026, 2027
2024 NFL Draft CB rankings: 5 first-round grades among top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft OT rankings: Scouting the best tackle class in 20-plus years
-
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
-
Super Bowl locations, dates for 2025, 2026, 2027
2024 NFL Draft CB rankings: 5 first-round grades among top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft OT rankings: Scouting the best tackle class in 20-plus years