Torn ACL Feared For Arizona Cardinals Safety Mathieu

Dec 8, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals player Tyrann Mathieu (32) reacts as he is taken off the field after suffering an injury in the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu, who is considered a current front-runner for the defensive rookie of the year, is feared lost for the season with a torn ACL, according to head coach Bruce Arians.  Mathieu left the field Sunday in the 3-10 victory over the St. Louis Rams, on a cart.  His facial expressions told the whole story.

When Mathieu went down, right away you know this wasn’t going to be a hop and get up right away deal.  Unfortunately for Mathieu this is bad timing in more than one way.  Not only does this end his season, it is also during a crucial stretch in which the Cards are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in four years.  It also means recovery time could jeopardize part of his 2014 season as well, given this can be an 8-12 month recovery and the fact that we are already into December.

If this had happened earlier in the season I may have also worried about his mental state given the opportunity the Cards gave him when many others wouldn’t.  Based on the proven support he has here both on and off the field, that is no longer a worry in my book.  The Cards will stand strong and support him as evidenced by tweets sent out after the game.

It is a disappointing end though to such an impressive rookie campaign for him.  Many didn’t give him a chance to succeed given his failures off the field at LSU.  However he hasn’t let anyone, at least that I know of, down at any point.  He has impressed even me and I loved the pick the Cards made in the third round of the NFL to get him.  He has proven a lot of people wrong.  Now, I hope he goes out and proves a lot of people wrong in the length of time it will take him to fully recover.  Right now, let’s hope we can see him on the field in August.