Chris Hubert leaves job at UPS after getting call from the Cardinals

TEMPE, Ariz. — Since being released by the Cardinals on Sept. 13, Chris Hubert said he spent time working out and catching passes from a JUG machine with his father.

He had also, recently, gotten a job.

“I actually had gotten a job with UPS,” he said Wednesday. “I worked there for seven days before I got a call to come back yesterday.”

The call was from the Cardinals, who on Tuesday re-signed Hubert to their practice squad. The next day he was elevated to the 53-man roster.

Hubert did not quit his job, as he told them he had to take some time off.

“I may be back, but hopefully I won’t (be),” he said, adding that his situation was understood.

How could it not be? Hubert is not the first player to keep chasing his dream while at the same time in part live his life as if that next chance will never come.

“It’s just crazy,” he said. “I’m learning every day how the business goes, just how at any time your number can be called. You’ve just got to be ready, that’s what I tried to do. It’s a great feeling, really.”

Hubert said he was hoping to hold off on getting a regular job, because he had a feeling the Cardinals would give him a call at some point.

“I just didn’t know when,” he said.

Then, the phone rang.

“It’s been great, getting the call to come back and then being able to be active, it’s a true blessing,” he said.

Hubert said he was informed right before practice that he was going to be active.

“So yeah, I’m really happy, really excited,” he added.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Hubert was a surprise star in the early parts of training camp, coming down with long catches seemingly every day. The undrafted rookie free agent from Fayetteville State made the team’s practice squad out of camp, but was released after Week 1 as the Cardinals looked to add more size at the position.

Arians said they liked him from his time with the team earlier in the season.

“He’s bright,” the coach said. “He’s a dual-position guy, so he could give us depth for Sunday.”

The Cardinals turned to Hubert because they may be a bit shorthanded at receiver, with Jaron Brown now on IR, John Brown working his way back and Michael Floyd dealing with a hamstring injury.

As a senior last year, Hubert caught 71 passes for 862 yards and 13 touchdowns, and his training camp performance turned some heads.

Hubert said as of Wednesday he was not sure what kind of role he would have with the team this week or going forward, but he should be in uniform Sunday when the Cardinals visit the Panthers. Hubert is from Raleigh, so the chance to be active for the first time in a game in his home state is a blessing, he said.

“Really, just to be able to go back home and be active for the first time, on the 53, it’s a dream come true,” he said.

Arizona Sports’ Craig Grialou contributed to this report

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