The Dallas Cowboys have agreed a deal to sign free agent defensive tackle Amobi Okoye on a two-year contract.
Okoye was released by the Chicago Bears following the 2012 season and missed the whole of the last campaign due to an undisclosed medical issue.
The 26-year-old will be reunited with former Bears coach Rod Marinelli in Dallas, and head coach Jason Garrett believes that the number 10 overall 2007 Draft pick has the talent to succeed despite lingering concerns over his health.
"We like a lot of things about him. He was a high Draft pick a few years ago, a really young player coming out of school, and he has a lot of talent," Garrett is quoted as saying by ESPN.
"Rod was around him in Chicago, we know him well, he's had an intimate-type relationship. So we think that's a real positive thing.
"He's had some health issues the last year or so where he lost a lot of weight. He's gained his weight back and we're waiting on some medical things. We feel like he has a chance to be a contributor on that defensive line."
Okoye became the youngest-ever player to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft when the Houston Texans chose him aged just 19 in 2007.
Barney Corkhill
