LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears were awarded outside linebacker Lamarr Houston off of waivers, the team announced on Wednesday.

Houston -- waived on Tuesday -- played in five games for the Houston Texans this season after he reached an injury settlement with the Bears on Sept. 6. Houston hurt his knee in the final preseason game against Cleveland which led to his departure from Chicago.

Former general manager Phil Emery signed Houston -- formerly of the Oakland Raiders -- to a lucrative five-year, $35 million deal in the spring of 2014 that included $15 million in guarantees.

Houston, however, appeared in just 26 games (10 starts) over the span of three years -- Houston was credited with 70 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles.

On two separate occasions, Houston tore the ACL in knee. Houston’s first season-ending injury occurred -- ironically -- as he celebrated a meaningless sack of former New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in a 51-23 blowout loss in Foxborough on Oct. 10, 2014.

The Bears face Garoppolo -- now the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers -- on Sunday at Soldier Field.

Houston takes the roster spot of wide receiver Tre McBride, who the Bears waived for undisclosed reasons.