making another move toward returning in time for the Cardinals' Sept. 8 regular-season opener. That Mathieu will play in that game is far from certain, but he is hopeful.

"I am just waiting for that moment when I really get tested and I will know for sure if I am the same player," Mathieu said.

Matheiu and defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu, both removed from the physically-unable-to-perform list Tuesday, were both limited to brief drills. Coach Bruce Arians said that would be the course of action "for a day or two" and the Cardinals will judge each daily to when they are able to up their workload.

Both Mathieu and Ta'amu, who tore his ACL three weeks after Mathieu did, have been aiming for the season opener.

"It's up to them, and we'll see how the progress is," Arians said. "They've amazed me to get to this point. I'd be amazed if they were playing on Monday night."

"It felt like I'm back in football mode," Ta'amu said.

Mathieu is back sooner than the Cardinals had counted on him being back. He will wear a brace on his left knee (much to his chagrin) although he said he has already grown comfortable with the new piece of equipment.

He insisted he won't rush the process. The Cardinals won't rush him either, although a Mathieu at full strength makes a big difference to the defense.

"He brings a different game-changing player," Arians said. "He's a game-changer. That's what you look for in practice, is he getting his hands on balls, tipping balls, intercepting balls? And (you watch) the speed with what he's playing."

Mathieu said he has sought advice. Wide receiver Michael Floyd, who had been working with Mathieu outside of practice when Floyd was sidelined with his bad groin, told Mathieu he looked good running last week.

Mathieu also talked to linebacker Desmond Bishop, who also suffered an ACL injury last season and told Mathieu once he got past the initial rust "it was all downhill from there."

"The other part is not feeling sorry for myself," Mathieu said. "There will be days when I am sore, in the middle of a game where I'll be sore I'll get tight, but I have to push through it. I think it's all about what I tell myself. I want to keep positive thoughts in my mind and not drown it with negativity."

PRACTICE-SQUAD CHANGES WON'T IMPACT QBS