LAKE FOREST- ESPN NFL reporter Ed Werder reported through his Twitter account within the last 20 minutes that the Bears have reached an agreement on a one-year deal with defensive tackle Jay Ratliff. This comes just a couple of days after the former Dallas Cowboys pass rusher visited Halas Hall to meet with the Bears.
The 32-year-old Auburn alum played in Dallas from 2005 until earlier this year. The Cowboys put Ratliff on the PUP list at the beginning of this season after sustaining a season-ending groin injury last season which put him on injured reserve. He was released from Valley Ranch in October. One would assume that Ratliff is healthy enough to play if Bears general manager Phil Emery is signing him in the middle of the season.
The Bears have been very thin along the defensive line after season-ending injuries to tackles Nate Collins and Henry Melton. Not to mention the lack of production from ends Julius Peppers and Shea McClellin. Corey Wootton was moved from end to tackle to make up for the lack of depth on the interior a few weeks ago.
Plus, the Bears have also been using rookie tackle Zach Minter and journeyman Landon Cohen. Ratliff brings 228 career tackles and 27 career sacks to a defense that has failed to pressure the quarterback for the majority of the season. The Bears make their way up to Green Bay to battle the Packers on “Monday Night Football” in a couple of days for a very important division game.
It is unknown if Ratliff will be available to play. Follow me on Twitter @GabeSalgado82
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