Mathieu (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Mathieu's return is one of the more exciting anecdotes as far as IDPs go, but he might be on a limited play count to start out.

Mathieu (knee) participated in full at Thursday's practice, the Cardinals' official site reports.

Mathieu was unhindered in drills for a second day in a row, which bodes well for his first appearance since suffering a torn ACL and LCL on Dec. 8 last year. However, the Cardinals' medical and training staffs have exercised caution during the entirety of his recovery, meaning Friday's injury report will go a long way in revealing his potential availability.

Mathieu (knee) is inactive for Monday's game versus the Chargers, Mark Dalton of Cardinals' official site reports.

Precaution has been exercised with Mathieu just shy of nine months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. The decision is somewhat surprising, after he practiced fully this week, but expect the defensive back to make his season debut sooner rather than later. Rashad Johnson should get the start at free safety, with rookie Deone Bucannon perhaps earning some reps as well.

Mathieu (knee) will be a game time decision Monday against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

The dynamic safety has been working to come back after knee surgery, and will need to continue to improve prior to Monday's game if he wants to get on the field. Rashad Johnson will take Mathieu's place if he can't go.

Mathieu (knee) practiced fully Thursday, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Mathieu was unable to fulfill the caveat for active status in Week 1 when he didn't take the field in the preseason finale on Aug. 28. Thursday's practice was a test run for how he handles hitting on his surgically-repaired left knee, according to ESPN.com. Coach Bruce Arians said that the Cardinals will "know way before" Monday's opener against the Chargers whether or not Mathieu is able to take the field.

Mathieu (knee) must take the field in Thursday's preseason finale at San Diego in order to be active in Week 1, again against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Since training camp opened, Mathieu has made stunning progress from last December's ACL and LCL tears in his left knee. He returned to practice in a limited fashion last Wednesday, and just one day later, he was able to participate in 11-on-11 drills, during which he placed a nice hit on receiver Ted Ginn. Coach Bruce Arians will likely only clear Mathieu if he achieves full health, but the possibility still exists for the defensive back to be available in some capacity during the regular season opener.

Mathieu (knee) took part in 11-on-11 sessions at Thursday's practice, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports.

Although he didn't initially make any hits, Mathieu eventually took down Ted Ginn following a catch-and-run, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. Mathieu made his first appearance at practice Wednesday since suffering torn knee ligaments in December, after which coach Bruce Arians said that the organization would explore 11-on-11 work in a few days. Thus, Thursday's development is a surprising step for Mathieu and feeds the belief that he may suit up Week 1 versus the Chargers.

Mathieu (knee) was eased into practice Wednesday, participating in individual drills, the Arizona Republic reports.

The event marked Mathieu's first taste of practice since tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee last December. If he navigates individual drills well, he'll experience an upgrade to 11-on-11 work by week's end. Nonetheless, he has less than three weeks before the opener (Monday, Sept. 8 against the Chargers) arrives, so his play in the meantime will ultimately intimate if he's ready to take on free safety full time.

Mathieu (knee) has officially been removed from the PUP list, azcardinals.com reports.

Mathieu's return accomplishes his goal of being activated before the regular season, which evidences the determined effort he made to overcome tearing both his ACL and LCL last December. That being said, Mathieu will likely be limited in his practice activity early on and probably won't feature in either of the Cardinals' remaining two preseason games. Nonetheless, the versatile defensive back stands a decent chance at being ready for Week 1 or shortly after. Until then, Rashad Johnson is expected to start at free safety for Arizona.

Mathieu (knee) is expected to be activated from the PUP list Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

With an earlier-than-expected return to practice, the dogged Mathieu continues to defy odds during his recovery from last December's torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. Active status in Week 1 against the Chargers is a distinct possibility, but the range for his first game action of the season lies somewhere in the Cardinals' first three outings. If he fails to play once the upcoming campaign kicks off, Rashad Johnson will handle the bulk of the free safety reps until Mathieu's health allows him to man the defensive backfield without restriction.

Mathieu (knee) is "pretty close" to coming off the Cardinals' PUP list within a week, the team's official website reports.

Mathieu is anxiously awaiting his return to practice following last season's ACL and LCL tears. While the dynamic defensive back could be cleared from the Cardinals' PUP list in the near future, it's likely the team will initially limit Mathieu's workload to ease him back from injury. With that in mind, it's unclear if Mathieu will feature during the preseason or even the first couple weeks of the regular season. Whenever he returns to game action, Mathieu will aim to reclaim either his nickel cornerback position currently occupied by Jerraud Powers or his free safety role presently held down by Rashad Johnson. Nonetheless, Mathieu's versatility and play-making ability will leave the Cardinals hard-pressed to keep him off the field, so the second-year pro should resume seeing extensive snaps at various deployment areas once fully healthy.

Although Mathieu (knee) hopes to practice in "two to three weeks," coach Bruce Arians doesn't share his optimism, the Cardinals' official site reports. "Our head coach, is he comfortable with me being out there?" explained Mathieu. "Am I 100 percent, and am I going to better our defense? I don't want to go out there if I'm not the guy I was last year."

Mathieu will pursue all avenues to play as soon as possible, but in the opening weeks of training camp, he's been contained to an outside field, where he holds individual drills. Such is his fate due to his status on the PUP list, where he's forced to reside as a result of his recovery from a torn ACL and LCL last December. Considering the 6-to-8 week timetable laid out by Mathieu himself at the start of camp, the upper bound (eight weeks) lands on a Week 3 divisional battle versus the 49ers. As long as he's sidelined, Rashad Johnson will be deemed the starting free safety, where he was featured on the Cardinals' initial depth chart, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Cardinals FS Tyrann Mathieu (knee) said he's still "at least a month away."

Mathieu believes he's 6-8 weeks from returning, according to FOX Sports 910's Mike Jurecki. That would put him on track to be cleared no later than Week 3, though coach Bruce Arians has conservatively listed Mathieu's return as October 1 (Week 5). Mathieu was placed active/PUP for the start of camp, but can be activated at any time.

Cardinals placed FS Tyrann Mathieu (knee) on the active/PUP list.

Joining him there is DT Alameda Ta'amu (knee). Mathieu said earlier in the month that he's running at about 60-70 percent coming off ACL and LCL reconstruction. He's about eight months removed from the injury, and could be back for the opener. Coach Bruce Arians conservatively put Mathieu's return at October 1.

Tyrann Mathieu (ACL, LCL surgery) said he is running at about 60 or 70 percent.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Friday his "target" date for FS/CB Tyrann Mathieu's (ACL, LCL surgery) return is October 1.

Arizona has a Week 4 (September 28) bye. "I had October 1, or after the (bye) as the target date for me personally," stated Arians. "If (Mathieu's doctors) do something better than that, God bless `em." Mathieu is still hopeful he'll play in Week 1. The sophomore DB suffered his injury in early December. Having lost ILBs Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby, the Cardinals' defense is very likely to experience a step back during the 2014 season.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is hopeful FS Tyrann Mathieu (ACL) might only miss a "week or so" of training camp.

The same is true of NT Alameda Ta'amu (ACL). It's the right time of year to be "hopeful," but we're still considering Mathieu questionable for Week 1. Mathieu is only six months removed from going under the knife to repair his ACL and LCL. Speaking last month, GM Steve Keim said "there's a chance" Mathieu will be ready for Week 1. That's a more realistic outlook that Arians'.

Cardinals FS Tyrann Mathieu said he contemplated suicide after getting arrested in Louisiana in October 2012.

Mathieu was jailed after police found marijuana in his apartment at LSU. He had already been kicked off the football team for failing multiple drug tests. "I'm sitting in that jail cell thinking, 'I don't know if I want to go back out there and face the music,'" he said. "I didn't know how I was going to commit suicide in the cell, but that was the direction my life was heading." Mathieu says his cellmates talked him out of the suicidal thoughts. The Honey Badger went on to have a spectacular rookie season before tearing his ACL and LCL in early December.

GM Steve Keim said "there's a chance" Tyrann Mathieu (knee) will be ready for Week 1.

Mathieu tore his left ACL and LCL in early December, giving him nine months of recovery before Week 1. It'll likely come down to the wire, but the Cardinals would be wise not to rush him -- especially given the more complicated nature of a dual ligament tear. They added high-quality depth at the position by drafting Washington State S Deone Bucannon 27th overall.

Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu (knee) has resumed a running program.

Mathieu has made impressive progress in his recovery from ACL surgery and is several weeks ahead of schedule. While it's good news Mathieu has already been cleared for running drills, he remains a candidate to open training camp on the PUP list. The Cardinals plan to take a conservative approach with Mathieu's rehab. If he avoids setbacks, Mathieu has a realistic chance to be ready for Week 1.