Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Shawn Williams, bottom, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (The Associated Press)
TEMPE, Ariz. – Kicker Jay Feely is gone after four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, and safety Tyrann Mathieu is close to making a quicker-than-expected return to the team.
Feely, quarterback Ryan Lindley and tackle Max Starks were among 13 players released by the Cardinals on Wednesday.
Coach Bruce Arians says kickoff ability was the reason he chose rookie Chandler Catanzaro to replace the 38-year-old Feely. Feely missed a 48-yard attempt in Sunday night's preseason loss to Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, Mathieu and inside linebacker Kevin Minter were optimistic about being ready for Arizona's season opener against San Diego on Sept. 8.
Both might play in Thursday night's preseason finale, also against the Chargers. Other than those two, Arians says no other starters will play Thursday night.
___
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.