Arizona Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu activated off PUP list

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu took an enormous step toward returning to the gridiron.

The “Honey Badger” was activated from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday afternoon and can now participate fully in practice. Mathieu tore his ACL last December after picking off a pass in the closing minutes of a Week 15 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The injury ruined a breakout campaign for the fourth-year DB. Mathieu was one of Arizona’s brightest stars, recording 89 total tackles, five interceptions and one forced fumble.

The Cardinals will gladly welcome their young star back to a unit that finished eighth in the NFL last season in passing defense. Mathieu will be limited to merely walkthroughs leading up to Arizona’s second preseason contest with San Diego, but he will surely see more action as the preseason continues.