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Before defensive end Israel Idonije signed with the Lions last offseason, there was some talk from the Bears about retaining him for the 2013 roster.

Idonije had been a longtime member of the Bears, joining the team’s practice squad in 2003 and remaining on the roster for a decade. Idonije had 20.5 sacks in his final three years with the Bears, which was all the more reason to keep him around. He wound up signing with the Lions instead, however.

The door isn’t totally closed on a return. Albert Breer of NFL Network reports that Idonije will be back in his old stomping grounds for a visit on Tuesday.

Idonije had just a half-sack in 15 games with the Lions last season and saw his playing time cut sharply from what he was used to in Chicago. The Bears, who have already signed defensive ends LaMarr Houston and Willie Young this offseason, may be hoping that a return to the team brings about a return in productiveness for Idonije.