Coach Lovie Smith says the Chicago Bears will pass on Derrick Brooks, for now, in the team's attempt to shore up its linebacker corps.
Instead, Smith said, the Bears will turn to their current roster to replace middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who was placed on injured reserve Monday after wrist surgery, and strongside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who has a sprained knee.
The Bears made contact with Brooks but decided adding a veteran of his caliber wasn't in the best interest of their younger players' development, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported today.
"Derrick's been a great player for a long time in the league," Smith told The Chicago Tribune on Monday. "He's a linebacker that's available. We're looking at all available players right now. Derrick would be a part of that. There's no more than that."
Hunter Hillenmeyer, a seventh-year player from Vanderbilt, will start at middle linebacker Sunday against Pittsburgh. Nick Roach is expected to start on the strong side if Tinoisamoa can't play.
Tim Shaw, who adds linebacker depth and can play special teams, was signed Monday. Shaw, in his second year, was recently released by Jacksonville.
Brooks, 36, an 11-time Pro Bowler cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February. Smith was Brooks' position coach with Tampa Bay from 1996 to 2000.
Urlacher and Tinoisamoa were injured in the Bears' loss Sunday at Green Bay.
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