Bethel (knee) was not included among the Dolphins' inactive players ahead of Sunday's contest with the Chargers.
Bethel will be ready to play Sunday after popping up with a knee issue during practice Week 1. The 33-year-old recorded 26 tackles, four passes defended and an interception across 17 games with Miami last season, though he'll likely contribute primarily on special teams Sunday.
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Dolphins' Justin Bethel: Knocks away two passes in win
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Bethel recorded two passes defended and seven tackles (five solo) during Sunday's 39-17 win versus the Browns.
Bethel showed up all over the field while almost evenly splitting his 39 total snaps between defense and special teams. While the 30-year-old logged six of his seven total tackles on defense, his biggest impact in this phase came in coverage, as he finished with the Dolphins' second-most passes defended behind cornerback Kader Kohou (three). Bethel played just 75 of his 271 snaps on defense over the first nine games of the season, so he should return to a core special-teams role following Miami's Week 11 bye.
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Ravens' Justin Bethel: Signs with Baltimore
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Bethel and the Ravens agreed on a two-year deal Friday.
Bethel spent the first six years of his career with the Cardinals before appearing in 14 games with the Falcons last season. Per usual, special teams will presumably be the focus for the three-time Pro Bowler, while he'll also provide depth at cornerback.
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Falcons' Justin Bethel: Working way back onto field
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Bethel (knee) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
After sitting out Atlanta's past two games, the veteran special teams ace has a shot to get back on the field for a pivotal NFC South showdown against Tampa Bay. The Falcons' coverage unit would be delighted to get Bethel back Sunday, as it aims to hold down a Buccaneers squad that ranks last in the NFL with 15 yards per kickoff return in 2018.
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Falcons' Justin Bethel: Dealing with knee injury
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Bethel (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice session, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
Bethel has helped shore up the Falcons' kickoff coverage, as the team has gone from dead-last in yards surrendered per kick return -- 26.2 yards allowed per return last year -- to a respectable No. 13 ranking (22.2 yards) through the first three games of 2018. The former Cardinal has yet to see a defensive snap on the young season, but he may find himself in such a situation soon given the laundry list of injuries that the Atlanta secondary has sustained thus far this season. That is, if Bethel himself isn't put on the shelf for an extended period with this newfound concern over his knee.
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Justin Bethel: Joins Falcons
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Bethel agreed to a deal with the Falcons on Saturday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Bethel recently visited with the Falcons, rendering this move relatively unsurprising. He logged 14 starts at cornerback for the Cardinals in his first six seasons, compiling four interceptions, but his main contributions were through special teams. Thus, the veteran corner figures to help provide depth in the secondary with the Falcons, while also playing an ace role on special teams.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Returns to practice Tuesday
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Bethel (knee) took part in practice Tuesday, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic reports.
Sidelined since Friday due to a hyperextended left knee, Bethel was expected to miss another week of practice, as of Monday, during which he ran sprints on a side field, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. The latter development forecast his return Tuesday, but he'll nonetheless take a seat in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game like the rest of the starters, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. Once the team reconvenes, Bethel will continue his pursuit of the starting CB job opposite Patrick Peterson.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Tallies 39 tackles in 2016
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Bethel accrued 39 tackles (37 solo), six passes defended (including an interception for a touchdown), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 16 contests during the 2016 season.
Near the end of the 2015 season, the Cardinals inked Bethel to a three-year, $15 million contract extension, seemingly with the knowledge that veteran cornerback Jerraud Powers was on the way out as a free agent. Both Powers and Tyrann Mathieu (torn ACL) missed time down the stretch, forcing Bethel into the starting lineup in six of the last seven contests (including playoffs). With 38 tackles and one interception during that stretch, Bethel impressed enough to be penciled into the starting corner spot opposite Patrick Peterson in the offseason. However, Bethel's story took a turn for the worse with April foot surgery, which held him out of the offseason program, was aggravated in early July, and contained him to a special teams role once Week 1 arrived. As the secondary took hits on the injury front, Bethel earned three starts over the final eight games -- Weeks 10, 16, and 17 -- in which he tallied 17 tackles and the pick-six. If the starting CB for most of the year, Marcus Cooper, returns after dabbling in unrestricted free agency, Bethel will have competition for a starting gig on this occasion.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Active Sunday
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Bethel (foot) is listed as active for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Bethel was limited in practice throughout the week due to a minor foot issue, but he'll ultimately be able to suit up in week 12. He'll provide depth at cornerback behind Patrick Peterson and Marcus Cooper.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Receives first defensive snaps in Week 6
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Bethel earned his first three defensive snaps of the season Monday versus the Jets.
Bethel has been bothered by lingering discomfort in his foot, which stems from offseason surgery and an aggravation in the lead-up to training camp. On the season, Bethel has been holding down his role as a special teams maven, including 19 of 24 on that arena Monday, but he was well enough (or the game was enough out of hand) that he picked up his first work with the defense. Despite the development, Bethel isn't a threat to Marcus Cooper's hold on the starting cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Active on Thursday
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Bethel (foot) is active for Thursday's game against San Francisco, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Bethel was limited in each of the team's practices this week. He's yet to take a snap on defense this season and will likely only see the field on special teams in Week 5.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Active Sunday
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Bethel (foot) is active for Sunday's contest versus the Patriots, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
With Brandon Williams named the starter at cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson, suiting up won't exactly equate to extensive snaps on defense for Bethel. However, Bethel should contribute on special teams, at the very least, with reps in the slot a possibility when six or seven defensive backs are utilized by defensive coordinator James Bettcher.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Questionable for Sunday
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Bethel (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener versus the Patriots.
Like the prior two days, Bethel was limited in practice again Friday as he continues to recover from offseason foot surgery. His road to recovery figures to extend well into the regular season, which will likely limit his role with the time. If he can play he will likely handle duties covering the slot, as Brandon Williams will start opposite Patrick Peterson.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Will carry foot injury all season
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Head coach Bruce Arians expects Bethel to carry his foot concern with him for the entire 2016 season, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
On Sunday, Bethel played in his first game since undergoing offseason foot surgery. Arians didn't exactly give glowing reviews of the cornerback, calling his play "rusty," but Bethel remains in the conversation for the starting cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson (rest). Unfortunately for Bethel, he may not suit up for Thursday's preseason contest against the Broncos, which could be enough to yield the role to rookie Brandon Williams.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Returns to practice Sunday
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Bethel (foot) took part in individual drills and even fit in 11-on-11 work at Sunday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
After suffering a setback with his surgically-repaired foot in the lead-up to training camp, Bethel will now focus on beating back rookie Brandon Williams, who has filled in admirably at the starting cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson. The delay in Bethel's first practice may have sealed his fate, but he still won't be strapped for snaps due to his status as the Cardinals' top special teamer and ability to line up as the slot corner.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Fits in running Saturday
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Bethel (foot) relayed to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com that he ran Saturday.
In an attempt to ramp up his activity level about three weeks before training camp, Bethel suffered a setback in his recovery from April foot surgery. On Thursday, head coach Bruce Arians said that Bethel was less than two weeks from practicing, and Saturday's development certainly backs up that assessment. The sooner, the better, as Bethel's absence has allowed impressive rookie Brandon Williams unfettered access to the starting cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Suffers setback with foot
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Bethel suffered a setback with his foot three weeks ago, meaning his activity level in training camp will be an issue of pain tolerance, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Bethel's offseason has been dedicated to his recovery from surgery to repair a fracture in his foot. He subsequently missed the entire offseason program, which likely spurred the decision to sign veteran cornerback Mike Jenkins last week. Once Bethel is able to participate in drills, he'll be focusing on locking down the starting corner spot opposite Patrick Peterson (ankle), but currently there's an opening for Jenkins or one of the other depth DBs to make an impact in camp.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Misses entire offseason program
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Bethel (foot) missed the entire offseason program, the Cardinals' official site reports.
After inking a three-year extension in early December, Bethel was pressed into starting duty within weeks due to Tyrann Mathieu's torn ACL in Week 15. Bethel subsequently tallied 25 tackles, four passes defended, and one interception in four games, including two postseason tilts. As the offseason proceeded, the team allowed veteran cornerback Jerraud Powers to leave via free agency, which placed Bethel at the top of the depth chart at cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson. However, Bethel's offseason has so far centered about rehab from surgery to repair a "slight" fracture in his foot. With no activity in the offseason program, he may have hindered his chances in pursuit of the gig, but the prudent approach is expected to ensure that he's 100 percent once training camp begins in late July.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Posts seven tackles in Week 17
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Bethel posted seven tackles (six solo) and one pass defended in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.
Bethel stepped into the nickel corner role after Tyrann Mathieu (ACL tear) was lost for the season in Week 15, picking up a combined 15 tackles and one interception over the season's final two games. With Patrick Peterson and Jerraud Powers manning cornerback, expect Bethel to sustain his recent usage, or 79 percent of the defensive snaps, but tackle chances should still abound.
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Cardinals' Justin Bethel: Limited Wednesday
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Bethel (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Prior to Monday's game, Bethel had garnered just 40 defensive snaps, with the majority of his playing time occurring as the captain of the special teams unit, but he turned 34 with the top unit into two solo tackles and a fumble recovery. However, he's poised to take on a starting role at cornerback with Jerraud Powers (hamstring) expected to miss multiple weeks due to a Grade 2 strain of his hamstring. Working opposite Patrick Peterson should afford Bethel plenty of chances to make his mark in a disruptive defense.
