The Cardinals' website projects Rashad Johnson as the team's Week 1 starter at free safety.

It's the latest sign Tyrann Mathieu (ACL/LCL surgery) won't be ready for Week 1. Coach Bruce Arians recently called October 1 his "target" date for Mathieu. Cardinals.com projects first-round pick Deone Bucannon to start at strong safety. Leaning on aging John Abraham (36) and Darnell Dockett (33) for pass rush, and weak at safety, Arizona's defense is quietly a 2014 concern after losing Karlos Dansby in free agency and Daryl Washington to suspension.

Cardinals FS Rashad Johnson suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 15 against the Titans.

It's a concern for Arizona's backend because it just lost Tyrann Mathieu to a double-knee-ligament tear. Johnson can now be considered out indefinitely. If he can't start in Week 16 at Seattle -- and we certainly suspect he won't -- the Cardinals would turn to undrafted rookie Tony Jefferson at free safety.

Cardinals S Rashad Johnson (finger) has been cleared to play in Week 5.

Johnson missed Week 4 after losing the top part of his index finger. He'll likely be Arizona's No. 3 safety behind Tyrann Mathieu and Yeremiah Bell.

Cardinals declared S Rashad Johnson, RB Ryan Williams, NT Dan Williams, OT Bobby Massie, QB Ryan Lindley, LB Kevin Minter and OG Earl Watford inactive for Week 4 against the Bucs.

Johnson was thought to be on track to play after injuring his finger in last week's loss, but couldn't get final clearance. Impressive rookie Tyrann Mathieu is starting in his place. Ryan Williams has yet to be active this season. Dan Williams is tending to a personal matter.

Cardinals FS Rashad Johnson (finger) expects to play in Week 4.

Johnson underwent finger surgery last week and is officially listed as questionable. The Cardinals have yet to clear him for Sunday's game, but he's expected to be available on a limited basis."I think he can play in a backup role," coach Bruce Arians said. "He definitely can do some things for us."

Cardinals FS Rashad Johnson underwent finger surgery Sunday night.

Cardinals FS Rashad Johnson has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle and MCL.

It creates an opening for rookie Tyrann Mathieu, who will start this weekend's game against Dallas. The story of Cardinals camp thus far, we wouldn't rule out the Honey Badger taking Johnson's starting job for good.

Cardinals re-signed S Rashad Johnson to a three-year contract.

Johnson was drawing some good free-agent buzz over the last couple of weeks, but the Cardinals have always considered re-signing him a top priority. He could be in line to start at strong safety after Adrian Wilson's release, but recent reports have the Cardinals chasing a top free-agent safety. Either way, Johnson is strong on special teams.

The Eagles "had some interest" in free agent S Rashad Johnson.

Johnson may not be available much longer. The Cardinals are trying "very hard" to lock him up after releasing Adrian Wilson on Friday. Johnson will likely head back to the desert, but a team could always swoop him and woo him away.

The Cardinals and free agent S Rashad Johnson are engaged in contract talks.

Working on keeping Johnson has been one of Arizona's top priorities, and there is mutual interest. After SS Adrian Wilson's release on Friday, Johnson has a clear path to a starting job with the Cardinals. There's reason to believe the two sides will work something out before free agency opens.

The Arizona Republic believes free agent S Rashad Johnson is "optimistic" about reaching a new deal with the Cardinals.

The sides have mutual interest in a new deal, so there's reason to believe something will get done before the start of free agency. Beat writer Mike Jurecki believes former Cardinals DC Ray Horton could recruit Johnson to Cleveland if he hits the open market.

Cardinals beat writer Mike Jurecki says "not to be surprised" if the Browns target free agent S Rashad Johnson.

Johnson can play both safety spots, and the Browns have a need at free safety next to T.J. Ward. New Browns DC Ray Horton, of course, was Arizona's defensive boss for the previous two seasons. The Cardinals are fully expected to try and re-sign Johnson before free agency opens on March 12, though.

The Cardinals are expected to make a "strong push" to re-sign free agent S Rashad Johnson.

"Rashad Johnson was a guy last year that I felt really improved," said GM Steve Keim. "Not only his cover ability but his consistency in the alley, coming into balance as a tackler." Beat writer Kent Somers believes Keim envisions Johnson as a starter, perhaps replacing potential salary cap casualty Adrian Wilson.

The Cardinals have talked to the agent of free agent S Rashad Johnson.

Johnson has been a core special teams player, and he's also started 14 games since entering the league in 2009 as a third-round pick out of Alabama. This past season, he recorded 20 tackles and two interceptions. Johnson could be viewed as an in-house replacement for Adrian Wilson, whose future with the team is cloudy.

Cardinals re-signed restricted free agent S Rashad Johnson to a one-year, $1.26 million contract.

A nine-game starter in Arizona last season, the 26-year-old Johnson recorded 50 tackles last season but failed to force a turnover. A below-average run-support safety, Johnson has also showed limited playmaking ability in the pros with just one interception through three years. He'll return as a reserve behind FS Kerry Rhodes and SS Adrian Wilson this season.

Updating a previous item, Rashad Johnson will be the Cardinals' fill-in strong safety as long as Adrian Wilson (torn bicep) is out.

It won't be Matt Ware. Johnson, the 95th pick in the 2009 draft, flashed excellent cover skills as the Cardinals' third safety last season, and also showed improve physicality with eight special teams tackles. He's not quite Wilson or Troy Polamalu, but should be on the early-season radar in IDP leagues.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt insisted that they are not writing off S Rashad Johnson.

Johnson, a third-round pick a year ago, fell behind backups Hamza Abdullah and Ralph Brown on the depth chart late last season. He has a long way to go to make a contribution on the field.