The Cardinals placed safety Tyrann Mathieu on injured reserve Friday.

After a season when he never could fully get past his 2015 ACL tear and then suffered a shoulder injury, Tyrann Mathieu's difficult 2016 officially came to an end Friday when the Cardinals placed him on injured reserve.

To replace Mathieu on the roster, the Cardinals promoted safety Trevon Hartfield from the practice squad.

Since hurting his shoulder in Carolina Oct. 30, Mathieu has played in only two of six games and struggled

in both. He has not been able to make the plays that lead him to all-pro status in 2015.

After the Saints game – in which Mathieu was beaten on a crossing pattern by Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks – coach Bruce Arians was asked if Mathieu wasn't all the way back.

"He gave it everything he had," Arians said. "It ain't Ty."

Mathieu did not speak to the media this week, but had said before the Saints game he didn't want to be shut down because of his injuries.

"I'm not that kind of guy," Mathieu said. "I've heard stories of guys like that. I don't think I'm that guy. We've got three games left and I hope to be on the field for the last three."

Mathieu has ended three of his four NFL seasons on injured reserve.

Arians said he didn't think Mathieu's shoulder had anything to do with his struggles against the Saints.

"If he feels healthy enough to play, he should play," Arians said this week. "He should be out there with his teammates. If he doesn't, then he shouldn't."