Chicago Bears sign LB Manti Te'o to practice squad

The Chicago Bears confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that they've signed veteran linebacker Manti Te'o to their practice squad. 

Te'o, 29, spent the last three seasons with the New Orleans Saints but made only a few regular-season appearances in 2019. He hasn't yet played in 2020 but potentially could be added to Chicago's main roster for a Nov. 1 showdown versus New Orleans. 

What were then known as the San Diego Chargers spent a second-round pick on Te'o, who earned multiple collegiate honors as a standout player with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, in 2013, but he never fully reached the high expectations had for him as he battled back from multiple injury setbacks during his tenure with the club. 

Te'o then joined the Saints in March 2017, where he played in a total of 24 regular-season contests across three seasons. In total, Te'o has recorded 307 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 22 tackles-for-loss, 13 passes defended, a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a pro. 

He replaces kicker Kai Forbath, who joined the Los Angeles Rams' active roster. 

As Jason Lieser explained for the Chicago Sun-Times, rules for the 2020 season held amid the coronavirus pandemic allow for a club to temporarily activate a practice squad player for a game day before returning him to the practice squad. Thus, Te'o could be eligible to make his Chicago debut in the upcoming "Monday Night Football" contest against the Rams.