Safety has long been a position of flux for the Bears, but Chris Conte's and Major Wright's emergence in 2012 showed that maybe the Bears had found their tandem. Unfortunately, injuries have forced the Bears again to sign a free agent safety.
Troy Nolan joined the team today to give the Bears depth in the defensive backfield.
Nolan played for the Dolphins and the Texans this season, recording nine tackles in three games. His best season was in 2010 with Houston, when he had three picks and a sack. Nolan isn't expected to be a difference maker, but he will give the team depth.
They need more defensive backfield bodies. Back-up Craig Steltz landed on injured reserve earlier this December. Conte injured his hamstring during the Bears' win over the Cardinals. This left only Wright and Anthony Walters among the safeties on the Bears' roster.
With the rate Bears' players have been injured this season, it makes sense that they would sign Nolan to make sure they aren't without a safety on Sunday. They had to waive wide receiver waive Dane Sanzenbacher to make room for Nolan, but Sanzenbacher only played in two games in '12. The Bears needed a safety much more than a receiver they didn't use.
