The Chicago Bears claimed linebacker Mykal Walker off waivers Monday, the team announced.
Walker, who started 12 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, was waived by the team Sunday.
Last season, Walker posted a career-high 107 tackles with 4 tackles for loss, his first career sack and 2 interceptions. It was his first year as a full-time starter after two seasons as a rotational player who picked up spot starts.
The Bears are the top team in the waiver order and have claimed three players this month. Walker provides Chicago with depth after the team saw several linebackers sidelined with undisclosed injuries during training camp.
Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago’s marquee free agent signing, has not practiced since Aug. 2. Coach Matt Eberflus said there is “no concern” that Edmunds’ Week 1 availability is in jeopardy and has classified the middle linebacker as day-to-day.
Bears backup linebackers Dylan Cole and DeMarquis Gates also missed Monday’s practice with undisclosed injuries.
In his Falcons career, Walker played in 49 games for Atlanta with 20 starts, 3 interceptions and a sack. A fourth-round pick for Atlanta out of Fresno State, he was entering his contract year this season.
Walker, 25, played 24 snaps with four tackles against the Miami Dolphins in the Falcons’ preseason opener, a game in which Atlanta did not play the majority of its starters.
Walker, a fourth-round pick by the Falcons in 2020, will be in the final year of his rookie contract this season.
The Bears waived linebacker Kuony Deng in a corresponding move.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and Michael Rothstein contributed to this report.
