Bears acquire guard from Bucs

The Bears continue to tinker with a makeshift offensive line that might not be solidified for weeks.

With inexperienced Josh Beekman penciled in as the starter at left guard and former inconsistent starter Terrence Metcalf having just returned to practice on Monday after missing four weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery, the Bears traded for Tampa Bay backup guard Dan Buenning Tuesday.

The Bears gave up an undisclosed 2009 draft pick and waived rookie cornerback Zackary Bowman to make room on the 53-man roster. With one spot still available on the practice squad, Bowman, a fifth-round pick from Nebraska, could be brought back soon.

Buenning (pronounced Benn-ing) was the Bucs' fourth-round (107th overall) pick in 2005 out of Wisconsin, and he started all 16 games at left guard as a rookie. The 6-4, 320-pound Buenning started seven games in '06 before being placed on injured reserve Nov. 27 with a knee injury. Buenning, 26, was inactive for all 16 games last season.