The Bears on Wednesday signed quarterback Tim Boyle and defensive lineman Andrew Brown and placed safety Dane Cruikshank on injured reserve.
Boyle, 28, joins the Bears from the Lions practice squad. He spent the first three seasons of his career (2018-20) with the Packers, who signed him in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Kentucky. Boyle appeared in 11 games with Green Bay, completing 3 of 4 passes for 15 yards. During his final two seasons the Packers, Boyle worked with Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
Boyle then joined the Lions in 2021 where he made five appearances and started three games, completing 61 of his 94 pass attempts for 526 yards, three touchdowns, six interceptions and a 63.5 passer rating.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Wednesday that Boyle was signed as a precaution, with Justin Fields (shoulder) and Trevor Siemian (oblique) nursing injuries. Eberflus said that Fields will be limited in Wednesday's practice and Siemian will not participate, but both are considered day-to-day.
Brown was signed off the Cardinals practice squad, which he joined on Sept. 2. He spent the majority of his first two NFL seasons with the Bengals (2019-20) before joining the Texans on Nov, 25, 2020. Brown also spent time with the Chargers in 2021. Through three years in the league, Brown as appeared in 23 games, starting one, totaling 18 tackles and one sack.
Cruikshank, who is in his first season with the Bears, sustained a hamstring injury in Sunday's game against the Jets. The safety has played the majority of his snaps on special teams this season, appearing in eight games. The Bears are already thin at the position after placing captain Eddie Jackson on IR Tuesday with a foot injury that Eberflus confirmed Wednesday is season-ending.
