The Chicago Bears signed offensive lineman Eben Britton to a one-year contract on Tuesday while adding receiver Greg Herd to the practice squad.
In corresponding roster moves, the club terminated the contract of vested veteran receiver/returner Micheal Spurlock in addition to terminating the practice squad contract of Roy Philon.
The addition of Britton signals the Bears might be concerned about the upcoming availability of center Roberto Garza and left guard Matt Slauson, who both suffered ankle injuries in the opener against the Buffalo Bills. Sources said Garza and Slauson have high ankle sprains, which are more significant than normal sprains, so there's a chance that one or both misses some time.
A five-year veteran, Britton has started in 34 of 50 career games with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2009-12) and Bears (2013). Britton has started 23 games at right tackle, seven at left guard and four as a sixth eligible lineman. Britton played in 13 games last season for the Bears, and started four when the Bears lined up with an extra offensive lineman.
Britton was among the club’s final cuts as it put together the 53-man roster coming out of training camp.
Herd came into the NFL in 2013 as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, who he spent 2013 training camp with. Herd caught 165 passes at Eastern Washington for 2,343 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Spurlock has played in 67 games with two starts over seven seasons. In the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, Spurlock caught one pass for eight yards.
