RealGM

The Bears wanted to bring Amobi Okoye back after last season but couldn't get a deal done to prevent him from bolting for the Buccaneers.

Now, they're adding him just in time for Week 1, provided a bothersome knee checks out in a physical that is expected to be performed Saturday. The Bucs cut Okoye loose after he struggled staying on the practice field for them following arthroscopic knee surgery in June.

According to an NFL source, he will sign a one-year contract with the Bears for the minimum if their medical staff checks off on the knee. That would give the defense a proven performer at a position that has been a question mark, particularly with Stephen Paea sidelined since suffering an ankle sprain Aug. 11. Paea is expected to return to practice next week and now Okoye will give coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli a familiar option coming off a year in which he participated in 55 percent of the defensive snaps and had four sacks.