The bye week couldn't be coming at a better time for the banged-up Arizona Cardinals.
All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu left in the first half of Sunday's game at the Carolina Panthers with a shoulder injury. He was originally listed as probable to return to the game but never did.
The Honey Badger has played in every game this season after suffering an ACL tear late last year.
The Cardinals have already lost Pro Bowl offensive lineman Evan Mathis, running back Chris Johnson and safety Tyvon Branch for the season. Wide receivers Michael Floyd and John Brown played Sunday despite dealing with injuries, and cornerback Patrick Peterson took the field even though he had been dealing with bruised ribs.
The Cardinals lost to the Panthers 30-20 in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game. The Cards will use next week's bye to heal up before they face the San Francisco 49ers in Glendale in two weeks.
