Tyrann Mathieu could be activated off PUP next week by Cardinals

Tyrann Mathieu is getting closer to making a return for the Arizona Cardinals as he recovers from knee surgery that ended his rookie season prematurely last season.

According to Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, Mathieu could be activated off the physically unable to perform list as early as next week.

The Cardinal’s third round pick last year tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee in the Dec. 8 game against the St. Louis Rams with about nine minutes left in the third quarter on a free kick return after the Cardinals recorded a safety.

Mathieu, 22, attempted to jog off the field but crumpled to the ground and the MRI the next day confirmed his and the team’s worst fears.

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At the time of the injury, the team said a nine month recovery would be necessary and Arians expected Mathieu to return on Oct. 1, or after the team’s bye week. The timetable would appear to be accelerated as Mathieu said two weeks ago that he was six-eight weeks away from playing.

If the Cardinals activate him off the PUP list that is undoubtedly an encouraging sign as it would mean he is not eligible to be transferred to the list in the regular season and his return to the Cardinals is not completely out of the question for the season opener, barring any setbacks.

Mathieu started 11 of the 13 games he appeared in last year with 65 solo tackles, two interceptions, nine pass deflections and one forced fumble.