The Bears are set to add some veteran depth to their pass-rushing attack in a couple of weeks after opening the 21-day practice window for defensive end Jacob Martin, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The opening of the window will give Martin three weeks to make his return to the active roster.
Martin opened the season on injured reserve with a toe injury. Thanks to new rules dictating NFL roster spots, teams were allowed to place two players on IR before the roster cut deadline and designate them to be able to return during the season. Before this rule change, any players placed on IR before the deadline would be lost for the season. Martin was one of Chicago’s two designations alongside offensive tackle Larry Borom.
After missing the first four games, both players were eligible to return to practice and the active roster, but it appears Borom and Martin each needed a bit more time. Borom’s window still has not been opened.
In his seventh NFL season, Martin is hoping to debut soon for the sixth team of his NFL career. Originally a sixth-round pick for the Seahawks out of Temple, Martin has also spent time with the Texans, Jets, Broncos, and Colts. His time in Seattle and Houston was the most productive of his career. Traded to the Texans after a three-sack rookie campaign, Martin collected 10.5 sacks in three years in Houston. He spent the final year of his rookie deal finally emerging as a full-time starter. Since then, he’s bounced around in minor roles.
Now that his practice window has been opened, Martin has 21 days to be activated from injured reserve onto the active roster. If he’s unable to return to the 53-man roster after those three weeks, Martin will be relegated back to season-ending IR, unable to return. The Bears will hope to add him to bolster a group currently led by Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker.
