Bears put 3 on injured reserve, sign kicker Mare

The health situation at Halas Hall took another turn for the worse Tuesday when three players were placed on injured reserve, including kicker Robbie Gould.

The Bears signed 39-year-old free-agent Olindo Mare to replace Gould after he won a tryout battle that also included longtime NFL veterans Billy Cundiff and Neil Rackers, a former Fighting Illini kicker.

With the Carolina Panthers last season, Mare hit 22 of 28 FG attempts (78.6 percent). In the three previous seasons with the Seahawks, Mare connected on 88 percent of his kicks (73 of 83).

The 16-year veteran has a career success rate of 81.2 percent, and he is considered above average on kickoffs but not nearly as good as Gould, who was sixth in the NFL through 13 weeks with 38 touchbacks.

Gould has connected on 21 of 25 FG attempts this season (84 percent), but he suffered a calf injury during pregame warm-ups Sunday in Minneapolis. His career accuracy rate of 85.6 percent is fourth best in NFL history, and he has hit 10 straight FG attempts from 50 yards or beyond.

Bears cornerback Sherrick McManis (knee) and safety Craig Steltz (chest) were also placed on injured reserve, and the team signed linebacker Jerry Franklin off the Cowboys’ practice squad to a two-year contract.

Wide receiver Joe Anderson was promoted from the Bears’ practice squad to the 53-man roster, and guard Chris Riley was re-signed to the practice squad. Veteran guard/center Andre Gurode was waived, leaving the Bears with one roster spot available.