The Arizona Cardinals announced Tuesday they pulled linebacker Deone Bucannon off the physically unable to perform list.
Bucannon underwent ankle surgery in May. He played most of 2016 with the injury before being shelved with three games left in the season.
The fourth-year pro isn't practicing yet, per the team's official website, but was able to take part in a walkthrough. Coach Bruce Arians said the hope is for the versatile linebacker to practice next week prior to the team's final preseason game.
Arians said earlier this month Bucannon was on target for the regular-season opener, Sept. 10 in Detroit, but that timeline remains something the team will decide moving forward.
"We haven't been counting on Deone," Arians said. "That's going to be a blessing [if he plays]."
Bucannon's absence has allowed rookie Haason Reddick to gain some valuable reps with the first team unit. The rookie linebacker displayed good read-and-react instincts during Saturday's preseason loss to the Chicago Bears.
When Bucannon eventually returns to the lineup full time, the Cardinals will boast one of the liveliest back seven defenses in the entire NFL.
