Packers sign free agent OLB Ahmad Brooks to 1-year contract, per report

Lacking for healthy edge rushers, the Green Bay Packers have looked outside the organization for help. On Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with free-agent outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The one-year deal provides Brooks with a $3.5 million base salary with incentives and bonuses that can raise the value of the contract to $5 million.

The Packers exited last Saturday’s game against the Denver Broncos with multiple new injuries to their outside linebackers. Nick Perry, who signed a five-year extension during the offseason, left early with an ankle issue. The back issues that limited Jayrone Elliott’s practice time flared up during the contest and forced him to the sidelines. Meanwhile, Clay Matthews also departed with an ailment the team has yet to disclose.

Brooks will presumably provide depth behind Matthews and Perry while serving as Green Bay’s third edge rusher. Even before the recent spate of injuries, the team’s backups at outside linebacker -- Elliott and Kyler Fackrell -- failed to distinguish themselves during training camp and the preseason. Fourth-round rookie Vince Biegel would have also factored into the competition, but a foot break and subsequent surgery cost him most of the offseason.

In 11 years spent with the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers, Brooks totaled 370 tackles, 53 ¹⁄₂ sacks, and 12 forced fumbles. The 49ers released Brooks earlier in August.