Safety option

The Bears threw another body at the safety problem today, signing Glenn Earl (6-1 215) to a one-year contract. Out of Notre Dame (and Naperville North), Earl last played in the 2007 season with the Houston Texans. He suffered a Lisfranc separation on his left foot after a collision with (drumroll please) ... Cedric Benson in an exhibition game.

Earl, who played for new Bears defensive backs coach Jon Hoke at Houston, was invited to participate in the three-day minicamp this week, and passed a physical Thursday. He made 31 starts in his first three seasons with the Texans and had a career high 74 tackles in 2006.