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With the beginning of offseason workouts, there are a few injured players that are not quite ready to fully participate. Second year player Tyrann Mathieu is one of those players. He is still nowhere near being able to play football, but he is still targeting a return to the lineup for the start of the season.
Arizona Cardinals head coach, speaking to the media on Wednesday (via the team's official website), said, "I still anticipate him on (the physically unable to perform list), but he refuses to believe it. That's a good thing."
On the other hand, Mathieu is saying, "When my team takes the field, I want to take the field, too."
At the same time, he trusts the coaches and medical staff. It seems to be the perfect approach. The truth is that with a knee that pretty much exploded late in the season, while he is optimistic, we shouldn't expect him any time soon.
As for the other players recovering from injuries, they are all on track. "Everybody's either in the program full speed or right on schedule," said Arians. That includes Jonathan Coooper, Lorenzo Alexander, Sam Acho, Alex Okafor and Alameda Ta'amu.
Personally, I don't expect much from Mathieu this season. He might return, but without the offseason work between his first and second seasons, combined with possible nagging injuries that will arise (groin, hamstring, etc) as he recovers and starts playing again. Luckily, the team is deep at cornerback, allowing Mathieu to not have to rush back too quickly.
How much do you expect from the Honey Badger in 2014? Will he join his teammates on the field on Monday Night Football? Comment away.
