If the Arizona Cardinals are going to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy, they're going to have to do it without Tyrann Mathieu.
Cards coach Bruce Arians announced on Monday that Mathieu will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL during the fourth quarter of Arizona's 40-17 win over Philadelphia on Sunday night.
Mathieu suffered the injury after picking off Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford with just under three minutes left to play in the game. Mathieu landed awkwardly after making the pick and then went straight to the ground.
Here's a look at the @Mathieu_Era INT. #AZvsPHI | #SNF pic.twitter.com/7XPffBfFIB
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 21, 2015
The Cardinals also had to deal with a serious injury last season before the playoffs when Carson Palmer tore his ACL. Having suffered the same injury, Palmer was understandably emotional when he was asked about Mathieu's health on Sunday night.
"This is such a bittersweet win," Palmer said. "There's nothing we can do but pray. We're all praying for him. I feel like I've been praying for the last 20, 30, 45 minutes. God's powerful. We'll see what happens."
The next man up for the Cardinals is Tony Jefferson, who actually started against the Eagles on Sunday in place of Rashad Johnson, who missed the game with an ankle injury.
Johnson is expected back this week, so Jefferson will likely fill-in for Mathieu, which won't be easy.
Tyrann Mathieu ends his season as the highest-rated CB in the NFL, per @PFF, and it wasn't close. Graded +28.1. Josh Norman 2nd at +14.2.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) December 21, 2015
Mathieu totaled five interceptions on the season, which ranked sixth in the NFL. As for Jefferson, he was emotional when he found out about Mathieu's injury.
I ain't cried since my nana died...love you bro ! Stay up @mathieu_era https://t.co/OVbeU7YHV4
— Tony Jefferson (@tonyjefferson1) December 21, 2015
This is the second time in two years that Mathieu has torn his ACL. The Cardinals safety also suffered a torn ACL in December 2013. That injury occurred in his left knee. This time around, Mathieu suffered the injury in his right knee.