TEMPE, Ariz. -- He didn't want to say that this time was easier, but Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu couldn't find a better word to use to describe his second knee rehab in three years.

"I wouldn't say it's easier, because it's not easy ... but it's easier," Mathieu said with a smile. "Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, it's just easier."

Mathieu is four months removed from surgery to repair his right ACL, torn in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He's able to backpedal and participate in drills, although he has just been a spectator during organized team activities.

"I'm moving around really well," he said. "I'm really pleased with where I'm at right now."

This rehabilitation and recovery isn't as complex as Mathieu's first, when he tore his LCL and ACL in 2013. This was a simpler injury, for lack of a better term -- just his ACL.

But just because this rehab is easier doesn't mean Mathieu will be on the field any quicker. The most important lesson he said he took away from his first knee injury was to not rush his return.

"If I'm ready, I'm ready," Mathieu said. "But I want to be 100 percent, and I feel like last time when I came back I wasn't necessarily who I am as a football player. So I'm just looking forward to being patient, challenging myself to be patient and then coming back at 100 percent."