His months of lobbying finally worked, so now Tyrann Mathieu is apparently within weeks of playing.
According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, the Cardinals activated Mathieu and nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu from the physically unable to perform list.
While Ta’amu might help the short-term shortage of defensive linemen, getting Mathieu back on the practice field is a long-term boost.
Coming off a late-season knee injury, there was no guarantee he’d be ready to start the regular season. But activating now means they think he’ll be back soon enough that a six-week stint on the regular season version of the PUP list won’t be necessary.
That’s good news for a defense that will need all the playmakers it can find, after losing Daryl Washington to suspension and Darnell Dockett to a torn ACL.