Three days after a chaotic departure from the Panthers, Robbie Anderson will return to the field with his new team on Thursday evening. Acquired by the Cardinals via trade on Monday, the wide receiver is on track to play against the Saints, as CBS Sports HQ Josina Anderson reported for the first time, joining an injury-riddled group that is also expected to bring DeAndre Hopkins back from suspension. Arizona has prepared a set of games especially for Anderson, by ESPNanticipating that he will play 10-15% of his offensive snaps.
Anderson, 29, was traded by Caroline less than 24 hours after the Panthers kicked him out of their own game. The speedster was seen arguing with coaches and sitting apart from his teammates during the club’s loss to the Rams in Week 6, then apparently insulting the interim head coach Steve Wilks on his way to the locker room. He also courted controversy before the start of the season, publicly hinting at retirement and criticizing the possibility of the Panthers acquiring quarterback Baker Mayfield, which they eventually did.
Arizona, meanwhile, had been left shorthanded at receiver thanks to No. 1 target Marquise Brown suffering from a serious foot injury. Starters AJ Green and Rondale Moore have also struggled with injuries this year, prompting the team to rely more heavily on tight end Zach Ertz and receiver Greg Dortch. Anderson, who was acquired in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick, is expected to serve as the No. 4 receiver against the Saints, behind Hopkins, Green and Moore.
Theoretically, Anderson will be the most involved as a deep ball target for QB Kyler Murray, especially with Brown’s speed out of the lineup.
