Former Patriots linebacker Michael Pinckney signs with Bears

Michael Pinckney, a member of the New England Patriots’ practice squad last season, has found a new home in the NFL. The Chicago Bears have signed the young linebacker to a one-year contract on Thursday.

Pinckney originally arrived in New England last October by signing a practice squad deal with the club. However, he was later suspended by the league for unknowingly taking a banned substance during his recovery from offseason surgery to repair a torn hip labrum.

As a result of the suspension the then-rookie missed the final six weeks of the regular season. Nonetheless, the Patriots still re-signed the Miami product to a futures contract in January — making him the 11th member of New England’s practice squad to reach a futures pact with the club.

Despite his new one-year contract, Pinckney lasted not even three more months on the Patriots’ roster: he was one of three second-year players released shortly after the start of free agency. Pinckney was let go together with kicker Justin Rohrwasser and linebacker Cassh Maluia.

After two months on the open market, the 22-year-old has now found a new home.