Bears sign free-agent LB Kelvin Sheppard, waive rookie Hendrick Ekpe

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears have signed veteran free-agent linebacker Kelvin Sheppard.

The team announced the signing Friday and also waived rookie linebacker Hendrick Ekpe.

Sheppard is entering his seventh season in the NFL. He had 50 tackles and made 11 starts for the New York Giants in 2016, a year after he had 105 tackles as a starter for Miami.

Ekpe was an undrafted rookie free agent from Minnesota.