Cards optimistic about Golden, Humphries

Tuesday was like the first day of school for many Cardinals, who returned to team headquarters for the beginning of the 2018 offseason strength and conditioning program.

But for two of the team’s best young players, left tackle D.J. Humphries and outside linebacker Markus Golden, all Tuesday meant is they had more company in the weight and athletic training rooms.

Humphries and Golden suffered serious knee injuries last season and have been rehabilitating from surgeries since.

“I’ve been here for four months now, so it’s kind of like everybody is finally coming back,” Humphries said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, I’ve been here chillin’, waiting for y’all to come back. Great to see you all.’”

Both players are an integral part of the Cardinals’ plan for the upcoming season. Golden, who led the team in sacks in 2016, suffered a torn right ACL in Week 5. Humphries, who played well at left tackle late in 2016, suffered a torn right MCL and dislocated kneecap in Week 10.

On Tuesday, Golden posted a video on Instagram showing him running for the first time since suffering the injury.

Humphries has been sprinting straight ahead for some time now, but he hasn’t yet made football moves required of a tackle, such as taking pass sets.

“I’m not sure about the timetable,” Humphries said. “I’ll be ready for the season, for sure. That’s 100 percent certain.”

On offense, the Cardinals will look much different this season. They have a new quarterback, Sam Bradford, different receivers behind Larry Fitzgerald and a rebuilt right side of the offensive line.

If Humphries returns as expected, the left side remains the same: Humphries at tackle and Mike Iupati at