No longer a PUP

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin retired on Monday after 14 seasons in the NFL. On Tuesday, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald talked eloquently about what Boldin meant to him personally and professionally.

“Bittersweet,” said Fitzgerald, who played alongside Boldin for six seasons in Arizona. “He’s like a big brother to me. I wasn’t fortunate to have a big brother but he was definitely that person for me. He took me under his wing. My rookie year he invited me over to his house every single Monday night to watch football. … Those kind of memories are things I will always remember.”

Fitz recalled Boldin missing just two games after, as some put, “breaking his face” in a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 2, 2008. Boldin had surgery to repair a fractured sinus membrane, which required seven plates and 40 screws to fix.

Linebacker Karlos Dansby said he welcomes the responsibility of being a mentor to first-round draft pick Haason Reddick.

“I wouldn’t call it pressure,” Dansby said. “It’s just natural for me. That’s my role, know what I’m saying? I knew that coming into the situation what my responsibilities and my expectations were, and the expectations of the coaches. I’m up for the challenge.”

Inside linebacker Deone Bucannon (ankle) was activated off the physically unable to perform list Tuesday but Arians said the fourth-year pro isn’t close to playing.

“He’s nowhere near ready but it’s a good beginning,” Arians said.

The Cardinals have said they hoped to have Bucannon, who was placed on the PUP list July 21, back for the regular-season opener against Detroit on Sept. 10, but Arians said Monday, “that’s going to be a blessing (if he plays).”