44 Markus Golden DE

Golden (knee) didn't practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The Cardinals must have been confident in Golden taking the field at some point during the first six games of the season following his activation from the PUP list Saturday. That said, if coach Steve Wilks has his way, Golden likely won't be active Week 1 against the Redskins. "I believe right now that if a guy's not practicing by Thursday, it's tough for him to be ready for the game," Wilks told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com on Wednesday. As a result, the Cardinals may not waste any time and rule him out on the final injury report of the week Friday.

The Cardinals placed Golden (knee) on the PUP list Monday, Kyle Odegard of the team's official site reports.

Golden continues his recovery from a Week 4 ACL tear, with little known about his progress aside from embarking on running in early April. The pass rusher himself didn't clear up the situation at mandatory minicamp, telling Odegard he'd like to "feel healthy by the preseason." If that's not possible, which appears to be the case, Golden wants "to be ready" by the regular-season opener. With a 12.5-sack campaign on his resume, he has the ability to complement All-Pro Chandler Jones, but Golden's injury is a significant hurdle to overcome.

Golden (knee) admitted Wednesday that he doesn't have a clear time line for a return to the field, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports. "If I can get back and feel healthy by preseason, that would be good," Golden said. "If not, then of course I want to be ready by the time the season starts."

Golden was knocked out for the 2017 season Week 4 due to a torn ACL. Prior to the injury, he had followed up a breakout 12.5-sack campaign in 2016 with no sacks among his 11 tackles in three-plus games. His rehab has progressed to the point that he's been a part of a running program for more than two months, but the training staff clearly is taking a cautious approach with the pass rusher. When it comes to his place in the defense, Golden will be switching to defensive end from outside linebacker as the unit transitions to a 4-3 alignment, a move that could help him bounce back as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.

Golden (knee) began running Tuesday, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic reports.

Coming off a 12.5-sack season the previous year, Golden suffered a torn ACL in Week 4 and finished 2017 without a sack. He's unlikely to be available any sooner than training camp, though the reports on his progress have been positive. The 27-year-old edge rusher may end up transitioning to defensive end this upcoming season, as new head coach Steve Wilks oversaw a 4-3 unit during his time as the Panthers' defensive coordinator. Golden has spent the first three year of his career in a 3-4 base scheme, primarily rushing the passer as an outside linebacker without his hand on the ground. Listed at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, Golden is only slightly undersized by 4-3 DE standards.

Golden (knee) likely will transition to defensive end under new head coach Steve Wilks, who ran a 4-3 alignment as the defensive coordinator in Carolina last season, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official website reports.

A defensive end in college, Golden is a bit undersized for the position by NFL standards, listed at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds. He piled up 51 tackles, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a 3-4 outside linebacker in 2016, but was held without a sack last season before suffering a torn ACL in Week 4. Golden is said to be progressing well in his recovery and tentatively is expected to be ready for Week 1, though it's safe to assume he'll be limited or absent throughout the offseason program. Wilks believes Golden and Chandler Jones won't have much trouble adjusting to the new defensive scheme.