Patience will have to carry the day in Arizona in matters related to Tyrann Mathieu.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Thursday at the conclusion of mandatory minicamp that expecting Mathieu and nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu -- both recovering from torn ACLs -- won't be pushed to take part in training camp. Both players appear to be long shots to be ready for the season opener.
"That's strictly up to the doctors, trainers and them," Arians said, according to the Cardinals' team site. "I'm not going to hurry them. We have plenty of time. If they aren't ready for the first day of training camp -- which I doubt anyway, because I've never thought that.
"I had Oct. 1, or after the (bye week) as the target date for me personally," Arians continued. "If they do something better than that, God bless 'em."
Arians' target date would get Mathieu and Ta'amu back on the field in time for the team's Week 5 road matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Cards have an early bye in Week 4, which works to their advantage here.
"It's a long process, and it's going to continue to be a long process," said Mathieu, who's also recovering from a torn LCL in his knee. "I just try to come to work every day, stay on top of my rehab and just continue to push myself. I don’t try to get too down about it, and I don't try to get too up, too excited. My knee's feeling good. I just take it as it comes."
Mathieu has not given up hope he'll be on the field for Arizona's Monday night opener against the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 8. It's more likely the Cardinals play it conservatively with one of their most important young commodities.
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