All along, Tyrann Mathieu has preached patience.

The safety has been encouraged with his progress coming back from his ACL tear, and still hopes to be on the field when the Cardinals play the Patriots Sept. 11. But as good as Mathieu has done in practice, he is clearly cautious.

"I wouldn't say I'm ready to play a full game," Mathieu said. "I still feel like I have a ways to go."

Mathieu recently estimated himself around 80 percent, and this summer, talked about how he wanted to be 100 percent before playing, with a nod to how much he struggled at the outset of the 2014 season when he was coming off another (albeit much worse) ACL tear. Coach Bruce Arians said there is still a chance for the PUP guys -- Mathieu, cornerback Justin Bethel and defensive tackle Frostee Rucker -- could play in Houston Sunday. As for Mathieu in particular, he is "not necessarily cutting it loose" in practice, Arians said. "I'd like to see him in game action, but that doesn't mean I have to see him."

Listening to Mathieu, an appearance now seems doubtful. Realistically, this would be the one opportunity -- it's hard to imagine someone at the top of the roster playing in the fourth preseason game, much less someone coming off a significant injury.

"Your passion tends to override being mindful of where you are at in your recovery," Mathieu said. "As long as I stay mindful of that, as long as people around me stay mindful of that, I think I'll be all right."

UPDATE: Mathieu did not practice Friday, but Arians said he expected the three PUP players to play "10, maximum 12 plays."