TEMPE, Ariz. » It would take more then a bruised biceps to keep Arizona Cardinals defensive end Travis LaBoy out of the biggest game of his career.

While he will wear a brace for Super Bowl XLIII against Pittsburgh next Sunday, LaBoy indicated there's no way he's inactive for this one.

A lingering ankle injury kept LaBoy out of the final two regular-season games and on the sideline for the Cardinals' playoff win over Atlanta.

Though he played relatively injury-free against Carolina in the second postseason encounter, he took a blow to his left biceps last week in the second quarter of the NFC Championship Game, and sports a nasty red, blue and green souvenir of the injury. Still, he expects to go against the Steelers in the biggest game in the history of the Arizona franchise.

“;No way I'd miss this one,”; he said here at the Cardinals training facility just before leaving for Tampa, Fla. “;Injury-wise, I'm coming along, and I expect to be ready.”;

  Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt indicated LaBoy should take his place at right defensive end, and complement an improving defense. Still, there remains a cautious approach to the former University of Hawaii standout, and the Cardinals are taking a deliberate method.

  “;He's getting more comfortable with his elbow, and what he's going to do to be able to play,”; Whisenhunt said. “;I think next week we will get more of a focused look on how limited he would possibly be if Travis would be limited at all. That's going to be the determining factor in how much he plays.”;

LaBoy missed plenty of time due to injuries at UH, but was spectacular when he played. He was Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the year in 2003.

Coming over from Tennessee in the offseason, LaBoy brought a penchant for physical play. Right out of the gate, he collected a team-high two sacks, three solo tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in the Cardinals' season-opening 23-13 win at San Francisco. He reached a personal high of seven tackles against Washington on Sept. 21, and matched that two weeks later against Buffalo.

  The Arizona defense shown marked improvement after a late-season slump, and LaBoy has been a big part of the resurgence.

At one point, the team dropped four of five. In that span, the Cardinals allowed 167 points in losses to the Giants, Vikings, Eagles and Patriots.

Since then, the Cardinals have picked themselves off the mat and plowed through the Falcons, Panthers and Eagles on their way to Super Bowl XLIII.

  “;In the postseason, we jelled as a team,”; LaBoy said. “;Players believed in each other, and realized if we were to keep playing, we had to be more aggressive. Players recognized that, and, as a team, we responded.”;

  For LaBoy, it has been a long, arduous journey from the UH practice field to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. After his freshman year at Utah State, LaBoy transferred to Hawaii, where his father, Cliff, had starred, and proceeded to put up impressive numbers.

  “;I came in at a great time,”; he said of playing at Hawaii. “;(Former head coach) June Jones was turning the program around, and we had a great group of guys. I guess the biggest accomplishment for me was beating Fresno State. Not only were the guys talented, but we all worked very well together.”;

  During three seasons with the Warriors, LaBoy accumulated 193 tackles (134 solo), 24 sacks, 50 stops for losses, 46 quarterback pressures and two interceptions in 34 games. He was selected by Tennessee in the second round of the 2004 draft, the 42nd player drafted overall.

  Through he spent four years with the Titans, LaBoy started in only 20 of the 54 games he played.

Frustrated, he circulated his name, and the Cardinals responded.

  “;I wanted to get into a 3-4 situation, and knew I didn't fit into the Tennessee mold,”; LaBoy said. “;I realized the Cardinals were a talented team, and that's where I wanted to play.”;

While LaBoy may be interested in a 3-4 defense, Clancy Pendergast, the Cardinals defensive coordinator, does not operate in that formation. Arizona essentially plays a four-down defensive line of Antonio Smith, Bryan Robinson, Darnell Dockett and LaBoy, alternating with Bertrand Berry, at right defensive end.