Cardinals’ Tyrann Mathieu has torn ACL

Safety Tyrann Mathieu’s MRI revealed a torn ACL in his right knee, an injury that ends his season, Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians announced during his Monday news conference.

It is the second ACL tear Mathieu has suffered in his three-year NFL career; late in his rookie season, Mathieu tore the ligament in his left knee.

Mathieu was injured at the end of the Cardinals’ Sunday night win against the Philadelphia Eagles, after picking off quarterback Sam Bradford. It was a non-contact injury, though it came with the game well in hand for Arizona. Tyrann Mathieu has suffered two serious knee injuries in three seasons. (AP)

After the game, Arians told The MMQB’s Peter King that the win and subsequent NFC West title that came with it was tempered because of his fears for Mathieu and the extent of his injury, even going so far as admitting that Mathieu is his “favorite.”

“It’s his energy and passion, at everything,” said Arians. “He’s just so good to be around, for us coaches and for his teammates. He wants to be great every day. I mean, we could lose Carson [Palmer], or Patrick [Peterson], and it’d be devastating. We could replace Tyrann, but who would replace his interceptions and his sacks? I have to say, he’s my favorite. This would be devastating for him.”

Mathieu had started all 14 games at safety for the Cardinals, and was in the discussion for defensive player of the year. He finishes the season with career highs in tackles (80) and interceptions (five).