CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Almost five months into his rehabilitation from ACL and LCL surgery, Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu still may not be ready for the start of training camp.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he anticipates Mathieu, who's entering his second season, to be placed on the physically unable to perform list when training camp starts.
"I think Ty is still going to be up to the wire," Arians said at the team's annual charity golf tournament Wednesday at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz. "He refuses to believe it, so that's a good thing."
There are two different PUP lists Mathieu can be on during the 2014 season. He can be placed on the active/PUP list at the beginning of training camp, which is expected to begin in late July, and then the reserve/PUP list for Week 1.
Being on the active/PUP list means Mathieu can't practice during training camp but will be eligible for the season. However, he could be activated off active/PUP at any time.
The reserve/PUP list comes with more restrictions. If he's placed on that list before Week 1, he can't practice for the first six weeks of the season, but would be eligible to return as early as Week 7.
A new rule in 2013 allowed teams to start a 21-day practice window for players on reserve/PUP two weeks earlier. If Mathieu begins the season on that list, the latest he could take the field is in Week 15 because players on the PUP list who want to return that season must start practicing by Week 11.
Players can be activated anytime during the 21-day practice window.
Mathieu doesn't plan on being on either PUP list.
"When my team takes the field, I want to take the field, too," Mathieu said. "I don't know if I'll be pushing it but it's what I want.
"I'm going to be pushing for that and I'm going to be shooting for that. If not, I'm fine with the trainer's and the doctor's decisions."