NFL.com: Mathieu is No. 8 most impactful player to return from injury
Jun 25, 2016, 9:00 AM
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Tyrann Mathieu is recovering from a torn right ACL and his return to the Cardinals’ defense is essential to their aspirations this season.
In fact, Mathieu landed at No. 8 on NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha’s list of the top-10 most impactful players to return from injury.
8) Tyrann Mathieu, FS, Arizona Cardinals:
If not for Seattle’s Earl Thomas, Mathieu might be the best safety in football today. The Cardinals were fortunate to have him for the majority of last season — he tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 15 — but that also means he’ll need more time to find a comfort level this fall.
Once that happens, look out.
At 5-foot-9 and 186 pounds, Mathieu gets the absolute maximum out of his undersized body. He can cover, tackle, blitz and do just about anything the Cardinals defense asks of him. That team may have reached the NFC title game with him on the sideline, but you best believe the first-team All-Pro was missed. After star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Mathieu could very well be the heartbeat of that team.
Last year, Mathieu finished tied for sixth in interceptions (five), tied for ninth in passes defensed (17) and 14th in tackles (89) among all NFL safeties and cornerbacks, in only 14 games.
The Cardinals were 12-2 and allowed 19.2 points per game with Mathieu healthy, but went 2-2 (including two playoff games), while allowing 28.2 points per game, with him on the sidelines.
Headliners on the list include: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.
