Tyrann Mathieu Injury: Updates on Cardinals Safety's Recovery from Knee Surgery

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu suffered a torn ACL last December and began training camp on the PUP list as he continued to recover from surgery. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Mathieu Active vs. Patriots

Sunday, Sept. 11

The Cardinals did not list Mathieu among their inactives for the season opener against New England.

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Latest on Mathieu's Practice Status

Tuesday, Aug. 30

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reported Mathieu was in uniform for Tuesday's session.

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Mathieu Comments on Return to Practice

Monday, Aug. 22

"Coach told me I was going to get a couple plays in, and I thought about it and said, 'What are a couple of plays going to do for me?' So I pushed it a little bit," Mathieu said on Sunday after practice, per AZCentral.com's Bob McManaman. "My coaches, they kind of let me do my thing. I felt great, and I’m pretty pleased with where I’m at."

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Mathieu Brings One of NFL's Most Versatile Skill Sets to Arizona Secondary

Mathieu is coming off a breakout 2015 season, having reached the Pro Bowl and earned first-time All-Pro honors. His year had a disappointing end, though, when he tore his ACL in December. The injury ruled him out for the remainder of the year, and his presence in the secondary was sorely missed as the Cardinals lost handily 49-15 to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game.

Somewhat concerning is the fact that Mathieu also tore his ACL and LCL—albeit in the opposite knee—in December 2013. As long as he stays healthy, the 24-year-old could potentially be one of the league's most impactful defensive backs.

NFL Media's Bucky Brooks analyzed why Mathieu is such an asset for the Cardinals:

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Mathieu doesn't get enough credit for his ability to create splash plays as an edge player on blitzes from his nickel corner or safety position. The tape demonstrates that he frequently attacks running backs in the backfield on safety dogs off the edge. Mathieu displays impeccable timing on blitzes, but he also shows outstanding anticipation, awareness and tackling skills corralling ball carriers in the backfield. This skill is underrated in evaluations of defensive backs, but Mathieu earns rave reviews for his work as a "plus-one" defender in the box. ...

Mathieu's extraordinary coverage skills allow the Cardinals to deploy him in a number of ways on the perimeter. He can lock up slot receivers when opponents trot out "11" personnel (one running back, one tight end and three receivers) against the base defense, or he can shadow tight ends when opponents align them out wide in spread sets. Mathieu's athleticism and versatility provide [defensive coordinator James Bettcher] with a hybrid defender who can snuff out the ultra-athletic tight ends taking the NFL by storm.

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Arizona has no shortage of talented defenders. Patrick Peterson is among the NFL's top cornerbacks, defensive end Calais Campbell is coming off his second straight Pro Bowl and the defensive line should improve following the offseason additions of Robert Nkemdiche and Chandler Jones.