Cardinals LB Golden reports improvement in knee

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden is feeling improvement in his surgically repaired knee but remains uncertain when he can return to the field.

Golden was limited to working out on the sidelines and running on his own during the team's offseason workouts as he attempts to come back from a torn ACL that ended his 2017 season.

"I wouldn't say it's hard," Golden told the team's official website of being relegated to the role of spectator. "I'm just ready to get back out there, so I'm grinding every day. I'm feeling good. I'm not hurting. My leg's getting stronger. So I can't complain."

Golden had a breakthrough second season in 2016 with the Cardinals, registering 12.5 sacks despite starting only three of 16 games.

A second-round draft pick out of Missouri in 2015, Golden was injured in Week 4 last season and finished the year with 11 tackles and zero sacks.

Still, much is expected of Golden for the upcoming season. First-year head coach Steve Wilks is switching from a 3-4 to 4-3 defensive scheme, in large part to take advantage of the pass-rushing skills of Golden and Chandler Jones.

Golden will be nearly 10 months' removed from surgery by the time training camp begins but does not have a definitive timetable for getting back on the field.

"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. I'm just going to keep grinding, no matter what."