TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cornerback Justin Bethel will have to get used to playing in pain if he wants to see the field this season, Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said.

The three-time Pro Bowler had a sore foot this week after playing in his first preseason game of 2016 on Sunday. He missed all of OTAs and minicamp while he recovered from April surgery to repair a fracture in his left foot. A setback three weeks before training camp began in late July forced Bethel to miss the first three weeks, including the first two preseason games.

His status for Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Denver Broncos is in jeopardy because of the soreness he’s been experiencing this week. He’ll be a game-time decision, Arians said, but it’s something Bethel will have to deal with all year.

“Justin’s foot is going to be that way, just like it was last year,” Arians said. “He’ll have to play in pain.”

If Bethel can’t play Thursday, Arians said that Cariel Brooks will get the start across from Brandon Williams.

But Bethel needs the reps this week as he continues to shake off nearly five months of rust.

“I’m definitely getting that feel back being out on the field,” Bethel said.

Arians called Bethel “rusty” after his performance against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Bethel got beat on a few routes that Arians felt he should’ve stayed with the receiver stride-for-stride on and didn’t turn his head around on deep passes.

“I’d agree with that term,” Bethel said. “I was definitely a little rusty there. Certain things obviously I could’ve did, and obviously there were things that I could’ve did that could’ve helped me out a little bit but it’s one of those things when you’re getting into the game you got to get back into the feel of the game.

“Practice speed and game speed are two different things. I had about three practices and then got into a game, so obviously it was nice to feel that again and definitely a little rusty.”