GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Markus Golden shows up at training camp every day like the rest of his Arizona Cardinals teammates -- he just can't participate on the field.

Golden is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 4 of last season, but that rehab is in its final stages, and the hope is that the fourth-year pass-rusher is ready to return sometime before the regular season begins.

Golden, who was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the outset of camp, is doing whatever trainers order so that he doesn't suffer any setbacks from what was major surgery.

"Just grinding it out and making sure I'm ready," Golden said. "You might be feeling 100 percent one day and you start hurting the next day."

Golden had a breakout season in 2016, his second year in the NFL, when he led the Cardinals with 12.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles and had 19 tackles for loss, terrorizing offensive tackles with his rushes off the edge.

Teamed with defensive end Chandler Jones, the Cardinals have a pair of pass-rushers that rival any two in the league. Golden and Jones combined for 23.5 sacks in 2016.

"Markus is a vocal leader. He's a guy that you can feel his presence out there, but not by just his game play," Jones said. "I'm excited to have him back."

Head coach Steve Wilks is also looking forward to having Golden and Jones working together again.

"You need that guy, once Chandler is doing a great job flushing them one way and all a sudden, there's Markus, and vice versa," Wilks said. "I can't wait to get him back out on the field. Everything I've heard about him in the past and just talking to him, he brings a lot of energy. And that's what I love."

Golden admitted it has been "super hard" to not be able to play.

"I've been playing football my whole life, and this is the most serious injury I've had," he said. "But you've got to be able to keep a strong mindset and work hard no matter what."

Golden said the rehab is going slow, but he's keeping his mind in the game. When not running, he's watching a lot of film of practices and studying his notes and defensive scheme flash cards.

If the film isn't enough to see what the Cardinals are doing in practice, Golden hears about it from Jones, whose locker is nearby.

"Every time I wake up, I'm getting better," Golden said. "Whenever I get out there, whether it's preseason or first game of the season, I'll be ready. When I get on my pads, I'll be ready to go."

The Cardinals could go without any further absences. On Thursday, linebacker Deone Bucannon injured his knee in practice and sat out Friday. Coach Steve Wilks said Bucannon hyperextended his knee and was to get an MRI later in the day.

"I really don't expect him to miss a long period of time," Wilks said of Bucannon. "We just wanted to be cautious [Friday] and not put him right back out there."

In Golden's absence, three players are getting the primary first-team looks -- former Dallas Cowboy Benson Mayowa, ex-Pittsburgh Steeler Arthur Moats and Vontarrius Dora, who spent time on Arizona's practice squad last season.