Tyrann Mathieu is back, having returned to New Orleans Saints training camp on Thursday after missing the first six days of practice with an excused absence. He declined to elaborate on the reason for his weeklong leave during a post-practice media availability session, which the team previously described as a personal family matter, though Mathieu said he plans to “be more transparent” about his reasons for stepping away in the future.
He expressed thanks for the support from the team as an organization and individuals he’s close with, shouting out Michael Thomas and Demario Davis specifically as two teammates who reached out to check on him while he was away for the team, saying of Davis, “He’s good for the spirit, good for the soul. He’s a strong man.”
But now his focus is on getting up to speed and ramping up his activity level. Mathieu participated in 7-on-7 drills during Friday’s practice session, so the Saints are being smart in not rushing him into a full day’s work before his body has acclimated to it. Anyone who knows what the August heat in New Orleans is like can empathize with that. And for his part, Mathieu is eager to embrace football season as things get into full swing. He says he’s in a good place and ready to work.
“It’s just a great feeling, you know it’s football time. LSU is in camp, the Saints are in camp,” Mathieu grinned. “So, it’s just a great feeling right now in Louisiana.”
