Arizona Cardinals’ Matt Shaughnessy returns to practice

TEMPE, Ariz. — Plenty has been made of all the players the Arizona Cardinals have lost this season due to injury, and rightfully so.

But not everyone who has sustained a major injury is done for the year, as Wednesday defensive lineman Matt Shaughnessy made his return to the practice field.

The linebacker was placed on the injured reserve-designated to return list after suffering a meniscus injury to his left knee in the team’s Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos, which meant he could not practice for six weeks and had to miss eight games.

“It feels good,” he said of the knee, before adding that it will take a bit of time to “get back into it” because he’s been out for so long.

Shaughnessy has nine tackles (six solo) this season, though much of what he does for the defense does not show up in his stat line. He has 18.5 career sacks in five-plus seasons, but his real strength is in run defense.

When asked about Shaughnessy’s return, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was a bit mixed up on when he was allowed to come back, finally saying, with a smile, “I don’t worry about the ones that can’t play.”

The first game Shaughnessy would be able to play in is Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

That game is set for Dec. 7, meaning there is still a considerable amount of time for the 28-year-old to get back into playing shape. He said he’s pushed his knee pretty hard, but noted that you cannot simulate playing in the NFL. So, he will get on the field and see how he feels, unsure of how much rust will need to be knocked off.

“You’ve got to go and see how it feels as you play,” he said.

At least the process of making his return is officially underway. Shaughnessy said he’s looking forward to being part of the team again, out on the field contributing. He said sitting out all this time has been hard.

“But I mean, I’ve also been busy rehabbing, so I’ve been here, been around the guys,” he added. “So it’s not like I’ve been out of it.”

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