Cut by Cardinals

The Cardinals released Bethea on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Bethea would've been entering the final season of a three-year contract after leading the Cardinals with 121 tackles (100 solo) in 2018. He still has something to offer a defense if he wants to continue playing, but the rebuilding Cardinals presumably hope to find a younger starter. Bethea will turn 35 in July and now joins a deep group of safeties in free agency.

Paces Cardinals with 121 tackles

Bethea led the Cardinals with 121 tackles (100 solo) during the 2018 campaign.

Analysis: On top of finishing in the top 20 overall in stops among NFL defenders, Bethea tacked on three sacks and a forced fumble. Playing 99.6 percent of the Cardinals' defensive snaps clearly gave him plenty of chances to make his mark, and with one year remaining on his contract, the 34-year-old should remain a mainstay next to rising safety Budda Baker in 2019.

Racks up the tackles once again

Bethea recorded eight tackles (seven solo) across 60 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Lions.

Analysis: The 34-year-old is leading the Cardinals with 105 tackles this season, to go along with three passes defensed and two sacks. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, as Bethea has participated in 92 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018.

Strong performance in win

Bethea recorded 10 sacks (eight solo) and one pass defended during Sunday's 20-17 win over the Packers.

Analysis: Bethea recorded his highest single-game tackle total since Week 6, and he now has 97 tackles on the season. The 34-year-old is a matchup-dependent IDP option and should see a strong workload against the Lions in Week 14.

Adds another sack Sunday

Bethea compiled eight tackles (six solo) and a sack during Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Raiders.

Analysis: Bethea tied for the team lead in tackles and managed to bring down Derek Carr in the third quarter for his second sack of the season, both of which have come in the past three weeks. If the 34-year-old can continue finding the quarterback along with putting up solid tackle numbers, he'll be a strong IDP option. He'll look to keep it going Week 12 against the Chargers.

Tallies sack in win

Bethea recorded six tackles (all solo), including a sack, in Sunday's win over the 49ers.

Analysis: Bethea hasn't produced much in the way of pass coverage but he's been a quality tackler and showed he can get after the quarterback when asked to. He's on pace for one of his best seasons as far as tackles go, and will look to continue the strong play in Week 10 against Kansas City after Arizona's Week 9 bye.

Ties for team lead in tackles

Bethea registered eight tackles (six solo) in Thursday's 45-10 loss to the Broncos.

Analysis: Fellow safety Budda Baker also tallied eight tackles, as the duo continues to remain among the NFL's more productive IDP options in the secondary. Through the first seven weeks of the season, Bethea has recorded 61 tackles (50 solo), though he has yet to produce a turnover after notching a career-high five interceptions in 2017.

Posts 13 tackles Sunday

Bethea recorded 13 tackles (nine solo) in Sunday's win over San Francisco.

Analysis: Bethea's 13 tackles Sunday was a season-high figure for the veteran. He and fellow safety Budda Baker combined for ridiculous 29 tackles. Looking ahead, Bethea and the Cardinals will take on the Vikings in Week 6.

Leads team in tackles

Bethea recorded eight tackles (seven solo) across 72 defensive reps in Sunday's loss to the Rams.

Analysis: The veteran safety has not showed any signs of slowing down this season, as Bethea played in 100 percent of the defensive reps Sunday. He continues to be a leading tackler for the Cardinals, which can make him an intriguing IDP option going forward.

Challenged for starting role

Bethea isn't guaranteed to open the regular season in the starting lineup given the Cardinals' offseason signing of safety Tre Boston, Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic reports.

Analysis: Boston signed with the Cardinals earlier this week after finishing the 2017 season as a top-10 safety in pass coverage, per Pro Football Focus. The 34-year-old Bethea, on the other hand, received a slightly lower grade in coverage this past season, but he was significantly better in run support. However, it might not matter who is formally considered the starter at free safety here, as both defensive backs could see significant playing time under creative head coach Steve Wilks.

The Cardinals plan to pick up the $1 million roster bonus owed to Bethea (pectoral) on Friday, the fifth day of the 2018 league year waiver period, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Analysis: It was an easy decision for the Cardinals to retain Bethea after the veteran safety enjoyed a productive first season in the desert, recording 57 tackles, a forced fumble and a career-high five interceptions in 15 games before missing the finale with a torn pectoral muscle. The 33-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and is due a $3 million base salary in 2018 in addition to the roster bonus.

Bethea (pectoral) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians announced earlier Tuesday that Bethea came out of Sunday's win over the Giants with a torn pectoral muscle, so the safety's move to IR was fully expected. Bethea's absence for the season finale against the Seahawks leaves Harlan Miller as the only backup behind starting safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Budda Baker.

Bethea suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Sunday's 23-0 win over the Giants and will be held out for the Dec. 31 season finale against the Seahawks, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Though Bethea sustained the season-ending injury in the Week 16 victory, he at least submitted his best outing of the season in the process, picking off two passes and collecting three tackles. Bethea finished the 2017 campaign with 57 stops, a team-leading five picks and nine pass breakups across 15 games, more than validating the Cardinals' decision to ink him to a three-year, $12.75 million deal in the offseason. Head coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday it was still being decided whether Bethea…read more

Bethea (knee) is listed as active Sunday against the Giants, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Following back-to-back DNPs with a limited showing Friday, Bethea fit in enough activity to appease the Cardinals' training staff. On the season, Bethea primarily has served as a reserve, yet he's still posted 54 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble due to Arizona's propensity to use five, six or more defensive backs on any given play.

Bethea (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Bethea returned to practice as a limited participant Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. The veteran safety suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Redskins and will likely be a game-day decision for Week 16.

Bethea (knee) was listed as non-participant on Wednesday's injury report, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Bethea tweaked his knee during Sunday's loss to the Redskins. The fact he was able to return to the game suggests Wednesday's day off was for maintenance purposes.

Bethea briefly left Sunday's game against the Redskins but he has returned, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Bethea forced a fumble on his first series back, and he'll slot back into his No. 3 safety position for the remainder of Sunday's game.

Bethea left Sunday's game against the Redskins with a knee injury and is questionable to return, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Bethea battled a knee injury ahead of Sunday's game, and this is likely a setback. The veteran safety is listed as the No. 3 for Arizona, but he still plays near full snap counts. Expect Harlan Miller to increase his defensive workload if Bethea can't return.

Bethea (knee) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Redskins, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Bethea started out the week not practicing but was a full participant Friday to avoid the questionable tag. Budda Baker (thigh) avoided being listed as questionable as well, so Bethea should be in for his usual workload against the Redskins this week.

Bethea (knee) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site, head coach Bruce Arians said Bethea and Budda Baker (thigh), who were both held out Wednesday, should practice in some capacity Thursday. That should clear up most of the concern about either safety's availability for Sunday's game against the Redskins, with both set to see ample snaps in the contest. Since supplying a season-high 11 tackles in a Week 7 win over the Rams, Bethea's production has dropped off considerably. He hasn't mustered more…read more