Packers lose DL Gaston to Bears

The Green Bay Packers have lost Bruce Gaston to the Chicago Bears, who signed the second-year defensive lineman to their active roster from Green Bay’s practice squad on Saturday.

Gaston, 23, beat out 2014 third-round pick Khyri Thornton for the final spot on the Packers’ defensive line coming out of training camp, but became expendable after Letroy Guion and Datone Jones returned from suspension.

The 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive lineman, who first signed with the Packers in December, was released on Oct. 3 to make room for receiver Jared Abbrederis. He was re-signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers and made the standard salary of $6,600 per week.

The Bears were looking for reinforcements on their defensive line with Ego Ferguson (knee) being placed on injured reserve Saturday and Will Sutton (elbow) and Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle) questionable for Sunday’s game against Detroit. Both were limited in practice this week.

Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is a disciple of Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and runs a comparable 3-4 defense. So it’s conceivable Gaston could play if needed against the Lions.

The departure leaves the Packers a player short on their practice-squad, but they still are deep on the defensive line after receiving promising news on B.J. Raji’s groin injury. If another emergency strikes, 2015 sixth-round pick Christian Ringo is available on their practice squad.

whodkiew@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @WesHod.