Ravens to work out three-time Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea

Antoine Bethea will have a chance to play a 15th NFL season. The veteran safety is working out for the Ravens, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

The Ravens currently have starting safety DeShon Elliott on their reserve/COVID-19 list, and defensive back Jimmy Smith did not practice this week because of a back injury. This could open the door for Bethea, who has logged more starts at safety than almost anyone in NFL history.

Bethea wrapped up a one-year Giants contract in 2019, starting 16 games in his age-35 season. This came after he started 16 games for the Cardinals in 2018. Overall, Bethea has started 200 games since being a sixth-round Colts draftee in 2006. He was a Pro Bowler during Jim Harbaugh‘s final season with the 49ers (2014). He will soon become acquainted with John Harbaugh.

COVID-19 protocols would prevent Bethea from practicing as a Raven until next week. But the 14-year veteran could begin taking coronavirus tests with the team Friday in order to begin work late next week. The Ravens released Earl Thomas during training camp and have used younger safeties this season. Bethea would be a step in a different direction, should the team agree to bring him aboard.