For the third time in a year, John Jenkins has reached an agreement to sign with the Bears. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter) the veteran defensive tackle will return to the Windy City.
Jenkins agreed to terms with the Bears in March of 2017 but did not make the initial roster out of training camp. However, the Bears re-signed him prior to Week 1.
The sixth-year veteran could be in line to serve as nose tackle depth behind starter Eddie Goldman. Jenkins played in eight games for the Bears last season. Prior to that, he spent three-plus seasons with the Saints, working as a near-full-time starter for the 2015 team, and part of the 2016 campaign with the Seahawks. Jenkins, 28, saw action on 109 defensive plays last season.
Chicago stands to return a similar crew on its defensive front, and Jenkins adds more familiarity to the Vic Fangio-led unit. The team lost Mitch Unrein in free agency but has starters Goldman, Akiem Hicks and Jonathan Bullard back.