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Reunited: Arizona Cardinals sign veteran safety Antoine Bethea

Posted at 12:21 PM, Mar 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-09 14:22:53-05

The Arizona Cardinals have already found a replacement for outgoing safety Tony Jefferson, as they announced the signing of veteran safety Antoine Bethea on Thursday.

Bethea, who played for Cardinals coach Bruce Arians in Indianapolis, has been signed to a three-year contract by Arizona. The 32-year-old has played in 11 NFL seasons and is a three-time Pro Bowler.

Bethea was selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played eight seasons in Indianapolis and has played for the 49ers for the last three years. He led the 49ers with 95 tackles last season. 

Bethea has played in 162 NFL games. He has recorded 815 solo tackles, 19 interceptions and 5.5 sacks. He appeared in Super Bowl XLI with the Colts.

Bethea will essentially replace free-agent safety Tony Jefferson, who has reportedly agreed to a contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Jefferson had played for the Cardinals since 2013 and led the team in tackles last season 

The Cardinals also announced Thursday that they have re-signed center A.Q. Shipley to a two-year contract. Shipley, who has played for the Cardinals since 2015, also played for Arians as a member of the Colts. Shipley started all 16 games for the Cards last season.