Cardinals coaches insisted last week that safety Tyrann Mathieu was completely recovered from a knee injury and would play his usual role Sunday night against the Patriots.
Turns out, that was mostly true.
Mathieu, who didn't play in the preseason, appeared to be in on every defensive snap in the first half, but he played more of a traditional deep safety role. That's different than the jack of all trades one fans are accustomed to seeing him playing.
Safety Tyvon Branch played nickel cornerback most of the half, the position Mathieu filled most of last season.