Aguayolandsasecondchance
BOURBONNAIS— The Bears provided some competition for veteran kicker Connor Barth— with a shot at a big payoff— when they claimed failed second- round draft pick Roberto Aguayo off waivers from the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers traded up to take Aguayo with the 59th overall pick last season after he had a stellar career at Florida State. Aguayo was only the second place- kicker to go in the first three rounds since 2000, when the Raiders took Sebastian Janikowski in the first round.
But the pressure to justify his draft status seemed to play at least a part in Aguayo’s miserable season. He made just 71.0 percent ( 22 of 31) of his field- goal attempts, including 4 of 10 from 40- 49 yards. His longest field goal was 43 yards. He also missed two extra- point attempts. He was waived by the Buccaneers after missing a PAT and a 47- yard field goal in the Bucs’ 23- 12 loss to the Bengals in their preseason opener Friday night.
Aguayo was “Mr. Perfect” at Florida State, hitting 198- of- 198 extra points and 69- of- 78 ( 88.5 percent) field goals. As a freshman on a national- championship team — he was teammates with current Bears defenders Christian Jones and Eddie Goldman— he made 21- of- 22 ( 95.5 percent) field- goal attempts and 94- of- 94 extra points.
Randle out for the year
Aguayo will take the roster spot of wide receiver RuebenRandle, who was put on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury against the Broncos on Thursday.
Bad break forWheaton
Wide receiver Markus Wheaton can’t seem to shake the bad luck that has stalled his career. Minutes into his first practice since July 29 after recovering from an appendectomy, he broke a pinkie finger and is out indefinitely.
“Hopefully that won’t be too big of a setback,” coach John Fox said. “He [ has] that downfield speed that we saw early in the offseason.”
Trevathan, Long still out
Fox paired linebacker Danny Trevathan and guard Kyle Long in the same situation Sunday— both could miss the entire preseason, but still play when the regular season begins. Trevathan, recovering from a torn patellar tendon, participated in 7- on- 7 drills for the first time Sunday. Players who did not practice include defensive end Akiem Hicks ( sore Achilles), quarterback Mark Sanchez ( bruised ankle), linebackers NickKwiatkoski ( concussion) and Jonathan Anderson ( high ankle sprain), wide receiver Josh Bellamy ( ankle), running back Ka’Deem Carey ( quad), safety Harold Jones- Quartey ( ankle), guard TomCompton ( bruised shoulder) and defensive end Jaye Howard ( hip injection).