The Chicago Bears announced Tuesday that veteran offensive lineman Andre Gurode has signed with the team. Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye was released to make room for Gurode.
Okoye had been a healthy scratch over four of the last five games. Nate Collins took all his playing time away from him. Okoye had just four tackles and one sack in six games this season.
Gurode, 34, adds much needed depth for the Bears on the offensive line. The left guard has appeared in 151 games making 127 career starts (Cowboys, 02-10, Ravens, 11). He was voted to five Pro Bowls (06, 07, 08, 09, 10).
He battled knee injuries during training camp in 2011, but appeared in 13 games, starting five with the Ravens after signing with them before the start of the season.
Starting right guard Lance Louis (knee) was put on injured reserve Monday and left guard Chris Spencer is battling a left knee injury that isn’t believed to be too serious.
Spencer is expected to miss one to weeks due to the torn cartridge in his left knee according to league sources. Expect to see Edwin Williams and Gabe Carimi man the two starting guard spots for now.
Gurode was brought into Halas Hall alongside offensive linemen Lonnie Edwards, Robert Griffin and Derek Dennis according to an NFL source. Dennis was signed to the practice squad.
Gurode is a veteran who has had success in the past. He worked out for the Detroit Lions back in September and has been on the open market since then.
At the least he will be an extra body for the Bears’ offensive line that has been decimated by injuries this season.
Don’t expect too much for the 34-year-old Gurode whose best days are clearly behind him.
“I am in shape, and definitely can help,” he said via Chicagosuntimes.com. “I need to learn the offense and, given the right opportunity, a chance to complete.”
I’m pretty sure the Bears would love to have former first-round pick Chris Williams on the roster right now. Don’t you think?
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
