The Bears ended two years of waiting for speedy wide receiver Airese Currie to stay healthy, releasing their fifth-round pick in the 2005 draft Monday after a weekend mini-camp for draftees and rookie free agents.
The Bears also signed six undrafted free agents: Maryland running back Josh Allen, Northwestern State defensive tackle Tory Collins, Grambling defensive back Greg Fassitt, California defensive back Tim Mixon, Nebraska defensive back Andrew Shanle and Virginia tight end Fontel Mines.
Currie, whom the Bears hoped would develop into a deep threat, was still recovering from a foot injury suffered at Clemson when the Bears took him with the 140th pick in 2005. He was on the non-football-injury list until Nov. 23, when he was put on the active roster. He then suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in one of his first practices.
He played briefly in the Bears’ first game last season but promptly went on injured reserve and never played again.