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Bears Add Former Griz Mariani

Mariani made the Pro Bowl in 2010 as a return specialist

By Dillon Tabish

The Chicago Bears have agreed to a two-year contract with receiver and kick returner Marc Mariani and waived safety Ahmad Dixon.

The moves were announced on Tuesday.

A seventh-round draft pick by Tennessee in 2010, Mariani made the Pro Bowl that season as a return specialist. He played in all 16 games in each of his first two seasons, but he has not appeared in a regular season game since then.

The Havre, Montana, native and former University of Montana walk-on broke two bones in his lower left leg in a 2012 pre-season game. He also spent the 2013 season on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. He was cut by the Titans this August.

Mariani tweeted Tuesday that he was “beyond excited for the opportunity” and would be wearing No. 80 for the Bears, the same number he wore for the Grizzlies in college.