Coach Bruce Arians expects DB Tyrann Mathieu (knee) to begin training camp on the PUP list.

"I think Ty is going to up to the wire," Arians said. "I still anticipate him on PUP, but he refuses to believe it. That's a good thing." Mathieu had never even heard of the PUP list before Wednesday. The kid is relentless and is aiming to take the field for day one of training camp. We can't see it happening, however. Being ready for the season opener is much more realistic.

Coach Bruce Arians said DB Tyrann Mathieu (knee) is "several weeks" ahead of schedule in his rehab.

Mathieu tore his left ACL and LCL in Week 14. He shed the brace on his knee earlier this month but still remains in question for camp. The Cardinals don't plan to push him until he's "more than ready." Mathieu is working hard at the team's facility, and they reportedly can't keep him away. Mathieu may not do much this summer, but he appears to have a solid chance of playing Week 1.

Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu (torn ACL, LCL) is expected to require a six-to-nine month recovery timetable.

Mathieu will likely miss the majority of training camp, but has a chance to be ready for Week 1. Cardinals GM Steve Keim believes Mathieu will be healthy for the start of next season and isn't ruling out him returning ahead of his current timetable. Mathieu had 68 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack in his highly impressive rookie campaign, seeing time at both free safety and slot corner. He's going to remain a major part of Arizona's defense in 2014.

Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu (torn ACL, LCL) will undergo surgery on Friday, and is without a timetable for a return.

Mathieu is optimistic he'll be ready for training camp, but there's simply no way of knowing right now. A timeline for the Honey Badger's return should emerge some time in the next month. He should be considered highly questionable for Week 1 2014.

Cardinals placed DB Tyrann Mathieu on injured reserve with a torn left ACL and LCL, ending his season.

S Curtis Taylor was promoted from the practice squad in a corresponding roster move. It's a bitterly disappointing end to what had been a revelatory rookie campaign from the third-round pick. Seeing time at both free safety and nickel back, Mathieu was a playmaking machine for the Cardinals, racking up 68 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack. He was playing essentially every down. Now the Honey Badger will likely miss the majority of next summer's training camp, and is highly questionable for Week 1. A pint-sized 5-foot-9, 186 pounds, Mathieu can't afford to lose any explosion.

Cardinals FS Tyrann Mathieu will undergo surgery to repair his torn left ACL and LCL on Tuesday, December 17.

We like to keep track of surgery dates for future bookkeeping purposes. Coach Bruce Arians told reporters Monday that Mathieu is considered doubtful to participate in 2014 training camp, primarily because the LCL pushes back the ACL recovery. Rashad Johnson will take over at free safety. The Cards may turn to Jerraud Powers at slot corner, with Antoine Cason bookending Patrick Peterson.

Monday testing confirmed a torn ACL and LCL for Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu.

The Cardinals believe Tyrann Mathieu suffered a torn left ACL in Sunday's Week 14 win over the Rams.

Speaking after the game, coach Bruce Arians said it "appears" Mathieu tore his ACL. The rookie will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm. Mathieu was playing on special teams when the injury happened. He was in on the tackle of Tavon Austin when his leg planted awkwardly and gave out. Mathieu sat on the turf for a few minutes before limping off under his own power. Mathieu's knee then buckled and a cart was called over to escort him to the locker room. The No. 69 overall pick in April's draft has been nails as the Cardinals' free safety and slot defender. It's a big loss for an Arizona defense that is one of the top units in the NFL.

Tyrann Mathieu exited Sunday's Week 14 game against the Rams with a left knee injury and will not return.

Mathieu was playing on special teams when he was injured. He made a tackle on Tavon Austin but got his left leg twisted up in the process. Mathieu was on the turf for a few minutes before walking off under his own power. Unfortunately, his knee buckled as he was leaving the field and needed a cart to take him to the locker room. Mathieu has been an elite defender as a rookie.

Tyrann Mathieu is now officially listed as the Cardinals starting free safety.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says rookie DB Tyrann Mathieu is "no doubt" big enough to play free safety full time.

Mathieu is only 5-foot-9, 186. "No doubt," Arians said. "He plays bigger than he is and plays faster than he is." In Arizona's preseason opener, Mathieu registered a 12-yard sack, broke up a pass with a big hit, and returned a punt 24 yards. ESPN's Adam Schefter stated Tuesday that Mathieu "keeps making plays and right now looks to be one of the steals of the draft."

One NFL scout told FOX Sports Arizona rookie DB Tyrann Mathieu is already "pound-for-pound" the Cardinals' best football player.

An offensive assistant added that "No. 32 (Mathieu's number) is going to change the team." Per beat writer Ron Wolfley, Mathieu's quick development has been "nothing short of stunning," and he's done it while learning four positions: Outside corner, slot corner, safety, and special teamer. Mathieu is truly a stud, and will make himself hard for the Cardinals to keep off the field.

Cardinals third-round DB Tyrann Mathieu is practicing at safety in base formations and corner in the nickel.

Mathieu mostly played corner at LSU, where he earned a reputation as the nation's most dominant ball hawk despite making just 14 starts. "He's learning how to play safety," coach Bruce Arians said. "He can cover sideline to sideline. He's shown the range, he's shown the speed to fill the alley, and I know he can tackle. He knows how to play nickel. He's played it his whole life, so that's a natural for him." Mathieu is behind Yeremiah Bell at free safety.

Carson Palmer compares third-round Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu to Troy Polamalu.

Third-round pick Tyrann Mathieu is already practicing with the Cardinals' first-team nickel defense at OTAs.

It's worth noting that Patrick Peterson isn't in attendance, and if he had been Mathieu may have been the No. 4 cornerback. For now, Mathieu is gobbling up valuable first-team reps. Mathieu is being crosstrained at free safety and slot corner. He's also likely to have a special teams impact as a rookie.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Cardinals third-round FS Tyrann Mathieu enters the NFL in the league's drug test program.

That means Mathieu is subject to as many as ten drug tests per month. The 21-year-old former LSU Tiger's off-the-field drug problems are well-documented, and he has repeated several times that he's fine with drug testing and that his issues are behind him. Mathieu signed his four-year rookie deal on Thursday, and he received just $265,000 up front. Another $355,000 is available in roster bonuses from 2014-2016, and they will void if he ends up getting suspended.

Cardinals signed third-round FS Tyrann Mathieu to a four-year contract.

There was initial chatter that Mathieu would have to accept a contract with no guaranteed money due to his off-the-field troubles, but we doubt that's the case. Mathieu didn't play safety while at LSU, but he does have experience covering the slot. He'll also be a factor in the return game as a rookie.