TEMPE, Ariz. - The Honey Badger doesn't need the preseason.
After not playing in either of the two preseason games he was active for, Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu is expected to not only suit up Week 1 against the New England Patriots but also to play the entire game.
"I expect him to play every single play," coach Bruce Arians said. Mathieu tore his ACL on Dec. 20 at Philadelphia last season and returned to the field Aug. 21, a little more than three weeks into the Cardinals' training camp.
He had been participating in 11-on-11 drills in practice, but Arians didn't want to risk Mathieu's health by playing him in the preseason.
Leading up to Thursday's preseason finale, Arians had left open the possibility of Mathieu getting a few game reps, but the coach ultimately decided against it because of how Mathieu practiced last week.
"He had a really good week of practice," Arians said. "We had a really good one-on-ones [during] 7-on-7 [drills]. He played some nickel. He looked good."