National Football League

Cardinals rookie Mathieu injures knee against Rams

Published Dec. 8, 2013 6:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona Cardinals rookie Tyrann Mathieu was carted off the field with a left knee injury in the third quarter of the team's game Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

Mathieu, having a sensational season at safety and several other defensive back positions, returned the free kick following a Rams safety and was buried in a pile of Ram tacklers.

As he jogged off the field, the knee buckled and Mathieu collapsed on the ground. A cart immediately was called and he was carried off the field.

Arizona drafted the ''Honey Badger'' in the third round after he spent a year away from football following his dismissal from the LSU team for marijuana-related problems.

He quickly became an Arizona fan favorite.