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Reports surfaced Saturday morning that the Cincinnati Bengals had "reached out" to former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff after the team lost Geno Atkins for the year with an ACL tear.
That's as far as things are going to go.
According to Ed Werder with ESPN, Ratliff has agreed to a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.
Former Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff has agreed to 1-year contract to join Bears. Will play against Cowboys later this month
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) November 2, 2013
Ratliff is currently rehabilitating from hamstring and abdomen injuries and various reports suggested that he was still 2-4 weeks away from being ready to play. Considering that the Bengals are down two defensive tackles, Atkins for the rest of the year and Devon Still for who knows how long, Cincinnati needs someone that will be an immediate contributor. Ratliff wasn't that guy right now.
Cincinnati is still expected to search free agency for options.