Last month, Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said defensive back Tyrann Mathieu was "several weeks" ahead of schedule on rehab from tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee. The optimism doesn't mean Mathieu will be ready for the start of training camp this summer.
"I think Ty is going to up to the wire," Arians said Wednesday at a team charity golf event, per the Arizona Republic. "I still anticipate him on (the physically unable to perform list), but he refuses to believe it. That's a good thing."
Mathieu displayed spectacular ball skills and a propensity for big plays during his rookie season. He was a legitimate candidate for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award before injuring his knee in December.
The 21-year-old has been relentless in his pursuit of returning by training camp. General manager Steve Keim said in March that Mathieu's been working his tail off to the point where the team almost has to "kick him out of the building."
Told Wednesday that Arians said he might start on the PUP list, Mathieu didn't even know what that meant. After being told it was the physically unable to perform list, the defensive back smiled.
"Like I said, when my team takes the field, I want to take the field, too," he said. "I don't know if I'll be pushing it but it's what I want. I'll be shooting for that."
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys talk Geno Smith's future in New York and pick the winners and losers of free agency.