Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu fractured his right thumb in Sunday's loss at Atlanta. The return timetable varies widely with this injury, which allows some players to go on without missing a game. Even if Mathieu plays through the injury with a cast on the hand, though, it's hard to imagine the thumb not impacting his ability to catch a football. Mathieu with diminished INT upside doesn't make for much of an IDP prospect. That's an ugly situation for an already-volatile fantasy option.

The Cardinals watched 2 DBs leave Sunday's win over the Eagles with concussions. CB Patrick Peterson suffered his injury in a 1st-half collision with Jeremy Maclin. Jefferson played 75 of the 94 snaps and had his injury revealed Monday. Both will need to pass through the league protocol before returning to action. Fortunately, neither is much of an IDP factor. Jefferson's recent playing time hasn't proved consistent enough for fantasy owners to trust him. Losing him for Sunday's trip to Dallas wouldn't affect the outlook for the team D. Peterson has failed to live up to his reputation in coverage this year, but missing him would still only make Arizona a more positive passing matchup for Tony Romo and the Dallas WRs in Week 9.

Cardinals DE Calais Campbell is active for today's clash with the Eagles. He has been out since taking an illegal hit to his right knee against the Broncos in Week 5. Campbell's a top IDP lineman when healthy, but the uncertain status of his knee this week makes him very risky for your fantasy football lineup this week -- especially given the strength of Eagles LT Jason Peters.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians has deemed DE Calais Campbell a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the Eagles. The 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff plus uncertainty about his knee makes Campbell not worth waiting on for many IDP owners. But we'll be tracking his game status on Sunday for those hoping to use him. For what it's worth, Campbell told AZCentral.com that he's optimistic. "If it feels the same way on Sunday as it feels now, then if it's up to me, I'll be playing," he said Friday.

Cardinals DE Calais Campbell returned to the field Thursday for the 1st time since an illegal chop block knocked him out of the Week 5 matchup with Denver. He put in a limited practice, which doesn't necessarily mean he'll be ready to face the Eagles. We'll keep an eye on his status this week, but don't be surprised if the Cards ease him back in a bit even if Campbell does return to game action.

Cardinals S Tony Jefferson played only 15 snaps in the Week 6 win over Washington.  HC Bruce Arians told reporters Monday that S Tyrann Mathieu has replaced him as the SS in nickel packages, with Jefferson playing the role in the base D.  Rookie S Deone Bucannon and FS Rashad Johnson also opened the game on the field and played 50 and 65 snaps, respectively.  Although the playing-time percentages figure to fluctuate depending on how the matchups dictate Arizona's defensive packages, it looks like time to dump Tony Jefferson in nearly all IDP leagues.  Teams lean toward pass-D packages these days.  Jefferson losing time there bodes ill for his participation going forward.  We wouldn't consider Mathieu an IDP starting option yet, but the fact that the team deems him well enough for a bigger role bodes well for the defense.  Mathieu's ball skills enhance the pass D and add big-play upside to the unit in fantasy.

Cardinals DE Calais Campbell will miss the next 3-4 weeks with a sprained left MCL, according to Kent Somers of AZCentral.  Campbell suffered the injury Sunday when Broncos TE Julius Thomas hit him with an illegal chop block.  Expect Frostee Rucker to start in Campbell's place, which could make him a sleeper play in Week 6.  Arizona faces Washington, which enters the Monday night game allowing the 3rd most DL fantasy points per game.

Cardinald DB Tyrann Mathieu is inactive for the opener vs. San Diego.  The 2nd-year player has been practicing with the team after missing the offseason and part of camp in his rehab from last season's knee-ligament tear.  Mathieu should be back soon -- otherwise, the team might have kept him on the PUP -- but we'll need to see him on the field for at least a game or 2 before considering him an IDP option.

Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu joined his teammates at practice Wednesday for the 1st time since tearing 2 knee ligaments last November.  He told reporters afterward that he's not nervous about working the repaired joint but that he is waiting for that 1st big test.  We're still hesitant to draft Mathieu in IDP formats less than a year after such a major knee injury.  But he'll be a player to watch whenever the Cards return him to game action.  We'll be particularly curious to see if Arizona limits his role early in the year.

The team website reports that Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu hopes to return to practice within the next 2-3 weeks.  Mathieu hit IR in December after tearing 2 knee ligaments and has yet to work out with his team this year.  We'll reserve judgment on his effectiveness until he actually gets back on the field, and we're not chasing him in IDP drafts at this point.  A healthy Mathieu will still make for a strong long-term fantasy prospect, though.

Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu will open training camp on the PUP because of the 2 knee ligaments he tore in early December of his rookie season.  The team can activate Mathieu at any point, but The Associated Press reports that there's no timetable for his return at this point.  We'd be wary of adding Mathieu to your IDP lineup coming off such a serious injury.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians told the team website this week that he's targeting Oct. 1 for the return of Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu.  The 2nd-year DB tore his left ACL and LCL in December.  GM John Keim has said "there's a chance" Mathieu could return for the season opener, but we'd bet on him missing a month and consider anything less a pleasant surprise.  Mathieu remains an attractive long-term DB in dynasty leagues, but he'll sit low when our 2014 IDP rankings come out.

The Cardinals spent their 1st-round pick in the NFL draft on Washington State S Deone Bucannon, after trading back with the Saints.  Bucannon led the Pac-12 in tackles and tied for the conference lead in INTs while earning 1st-team all-conference honors in 2013.  He should fight for a starting job right away in a strong, young secondary.  Bucannon could sneak into a worthwhile slot in our 2014 IDP rankings if he appears on track to start.

The Cardinals have signed LT Jared Veldheer to a 5-year, $35 million deal.  The 26-year-old is the youngest of the top free-agent OTs.  Veldheer missed most of last season with a triceps injury but finished 12th among 80 OTs in Pro Football Focus' 2012 rankings.  He's a significant upgrade for the Cardinals -- and good news for the fantasy prospects of QB Carson Palmer, RB Andre Ellington and WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.

Multiple outlets report that MRI confirmed a torn ACL and LCL for Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu.  According to ESPN.com, doctors will wait about 9 days for the LCL to begin healing before going in to repair both ligaments.  The recovery could take about 9 months.  That timeline would bump up against the start of next season.  We'll see how Mathieu progresses through the summer.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians said Sunday night that S Tyranny Mathieu appears to have torn his left ACL in the Week 14 win over the Rams.  The rookie will have an MRI on Monday to confirm.  Losing Mathieu certainly doesn't help the Arizona D, as he has proved capable of played several roles in the secondary.  IDP owners lose a top 10 fantasy DB and will have to wonder about his readiness for next season.  We'll keep an eye on Mathieu's situation throughout the summer.  S Rashad Johnson figures to see more playing time the rest of this year.  He has played mostly as a 3rd safety so far.