TEMPE, Ariz. -- Surgery earlier this week to repair the meniscus in Matt Shaughnessy's left knee went well, the Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker said.
"I'm walking," he said with a smile.
Shaughnessy could tell something was wrong with his knee during last weekend's game against Denver, possibly from stepping wrong. He got the knee taped and finished the game before being put on injured reserve/designated to return, meaning he'll be back for the final four games of the season.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said earlier this week that Shaughnessy's injury was likely the result of an accumulation of few different plays. Shaughnessy was limping Sunday, Arians said.
"We really can't put a finger on what actual play it happened," Arians said.
He was glad Arizona gave him the designation to return. By rule, Shaughnessy can begin to practice again in six weeks and then can return to a game two weeks after that, leaving Week 14 against Kansas City as the earliest game that he can return for.
Had he been placed on regular injured reserve, Shaughnessy wouldn't have been eligible to return until next season.
"That's a whole year," he said. "That's a long time."
Shaughnessy had nine tackles in four games this season and was on pace for 36, the same number he finished with last year. But he hopes to return in December stronger and rested.
"I mean, obviously, I'd like to be out there playing but it's just the hand I was dealt and I'm going to do the best I can to get back out there in as great shape as I can be and have an impact on the rest of the season," he said.