Cardinals wide receiver John Brown can't bring in a pass against the Patriots in Week 1.

Bruce Arians had practically predicted as much, after wide receiver John Brown had missed almost all of training camp after suffering a concussion.

Brown would need time to get back into football shape and into the flow of the offense, the Cardinals coach said. Two games into the season, with Brown – who gained more than 1,000 yards in 2015 – sitting with just two catches for 22

yards, it hasn't happened yet.

"It'll come back around to me at some point," said Brown, who has been targeted seven times. "I'm just patiently waiting. The only thing I care about is winning right now. There's no need to get mad or anything."

His concussion is not an issue. Now it's strictly a game where he can find his way back into the offense – not unlike the situation Michael Floyd faced at the beginning of last season, after Floyd missed most of camp with dislocated fingers.

"He's fine," offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin said. "Got his wind back, should be fine. Just how it calls for him to be involved in the game plan on the field is what matters the most."

With Jaron Brown flashing and Larry Fitzgerald off to a good start, John Brown hasn't been needed as much. (Floyd isn't off to a fast start either, with just five catches.) But John Brown felt completely different against the Buccaneers than he did the Patriots, and expects his upswing to continue in Buffalo.

"I could tell I missed a whole bunch of time," Brown said. "Watching the Patriots (video), I wasn't explosive, my routes weren't good. I was rusty. But I'm getting back into it. I'm feeling good and I'm playing fast again."

BETTCHER: WHEREEVER MATHIEU IS, HE MAKES AN IMPACT

Safety Tyrann Mathieu clearly is bothered not being able to play in his normal role in the defense coming off his ACL

rehab. But defensive coordinator James Bettcher said it doesn't matter because Mathieu will make an impact wherever he is on the field.

"Ty is such a great pro," Bettcher said. "Wherever Ty lines up, he's going to affect the game. When people prep on a week-to-week basis, I promise you, whoever we are playing, someone is wearing a '32' jersey on the 'look' team. Because he's a game-wrecker and they want to know where he's at."

JARON BROWN HAS A BACKER IN PETERSON

Wide receiver Jaron Brown had a career-long 51-yard reception last week for a touchdown and had a career-best 78 yards in the game. But after a training camp in which Brown was the team's MVP, all-pro cornerback Patrick Peterson called him a "special" player.

"That's been my sparring partner ever since he got here," Peterson said.

"He's one of B.A.'s babies, kept him under wraps for a while. Gives me all I can handle every camp," Peterson added.

Brown, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, was undrafted in 2013 and has filled in capably over the years when Fitzgerald or Floyd or John Brown have had injuries.

"It's mind-boggling that he was not drafted," Peterson said.

VELDHEER, FITZGERALD PRACTICE FULL BUT MATHIS SITS

Both Fitzgerald (knee) and tackle Jared Veldheer (fibula) were upgraded to full practice Thursday, but guard Evan Mathis (foot) remained a DNP. If Mathis can't play Sunday, he'd be replaced by Earl Watford. Defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (knee) and linebacker Kareem Martin (knee) remained as DNP as well.

Cornerback Justin Bethel (foot), Mathieu (knee) and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (ankle) remained limited.

For the Bills, wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot) was DNP again and coach Rex Ryan expressed concern he'll be able to play. Tackle Cordy Glenn (ankle) was also DNP, while tight end Charles Clay (knee), safety Colt Anderson (foot), cornerback Ronald Darby (hamstring) and quarterback Cardale Jones (right shoulder) remained limited. Wide receiver Greg Salas was added as limited with a groin injury.