Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu said in early August that he hoped to begin practicing in two to three weeks.
Mathieu took a huge step toward reaching that goal Tuesday, when the team announced he'd been activated from the physically unable to perform list.
There is now some optimism that Mathieu will be ready to play by the Cardinals' season opener versus the Chargers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Coach Bruce Arians had been targeting Week 5, after the Cardinals' bye, so Mathieu is exceeding expectations in his return from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his knee.
Mathieu has stated that he doesn't want to play again if his knee won't allow him to recapture pre-injury form.
Prior to his late-season injury, Mathieu had been a favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 while excelling in the hybrid safety-nickelback role that is becoming trendy throughout the league.
A healthy Honey Badger gives Arizona one of the league's premier secondaries.
The latest "Around the League Podcast" talks quarterback battles and debates the gang's preseason power rankings.
