Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu out vs. Washington

GLENDALE, Ariz. – For the third time in four games, safety Tyrann Mathieu will be in street clothes rather than an Arizona Cardinals uniform.

He’ll miss Sunday’s meeting with the Washington Redskins at University of Phoenix Stadium because of a shoulder injury he first suffered at Carolina.

Mathieu did not practice either Thursday or Friday, leaving his status as doubtful on the final injury report.

“I couldn’t really get off blocks in some situations. That’s things I’ve got to work on,” he said earlier in the week, referring to his performance against Atlanta. “Even with me, I haven’t been making the plays I’ve been accustomed to making. Excuses in circumstances, that’s not really an excuse for why you didn’t make the plays you’re supposed to make.”

With Mathieu sidelined, Tyvon Branch is expected to see more playing time.

The Cardinals get Branch back off injured reserve. Branch has not played since Week 4, when he hurt his groin that ultimately required hernia surgery.

The Cardinals will also have the services of wide receiver John Brown, who was considered questionable. Hamstring tightness brought on by the sickle-cell trait kept Brown off the practice field Wednesday and limited his work on Thursday and Friday.

“The biggest thing right now is monitoring how many plays he plays in a row,” head coach Bruce Arians said.

The Cardinals’ remaining inactives included wide receiver Marquis Bundy, linebacker Sio Moore, guard Cole Toner plus defensive tackles Olsen Pierre, Robert Nkemdiche and Ed Stinson.

Nkemdiche, the team’s first-round draft pick, will be watching from the sidelines for the eighth time this season.

For the Redskins, defensive end Anthony Lanier II (shin) and tight end Jordan Reed (shoulder) are out due to injury and among the listed inactives.

“That’s a hell of a weapon out for them,” Arians said of Reed. “You never want to see anybody miss games.”

The others not in uniform for Washington are quarterback Nate Sudfeld, wide receiver Rashad Ross, running back Matt Jones, cornerback Dashaun Phillips and defensive lineman A.J. Francis.

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