The Bears will have OLB Pernell McPhee (knee), OLB Willie Young (ankle) and CB Tracy Porter (knee) on the field today against the Giants. All 3 are active after entering the day questionable. All sit well down the list as IDP options but are in play if they make sense for your lineup.

The Bears will have ILB Shea McClellin (concussion), OLB Willie Young (rib), OLB Pernell McPhee (knee) and S Adrian Amos available for today's finale against the Lions. None makes for a strong IDP option, however, and the team D is no better than a boom/bust DFS play.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Bears have reached a 5-year, $40 million deal with free-agent OLB Pernell McPhee. The former Raven never reached full starting status in Baltimore but twice reached 6 sacks over his 4 seasons as a situational player, including a career-high 7.5 in 2014. He'll play primarily OLB in Chicago's 3-4 base defense but has the versatility to line up in many spots. The Bears -- under a different coaching staff and GM -- signed DEs Lamarr Houston, Jared Allen and Willie Young in free agency just last year to improve the edge rush. But Houston suffered an ACL tear, Young suffered an Achilles' tear and Allen will turn 33 in April. All appear likely to remain on the 2015 roster, with Allen's $12.5 million cap number fully guaranteed. McPhee carries the most IDP upside in the group, though Houston could become a sleeper if he still carries the DL designation.

Bears HC John Fox confirmed Wednesday from the Scouting Combine that his defense will move to a 3-4 base alignment in 2015. Fox acknowledged that the label often doesn't make a huge difference for the team, which can play with its actual alignments and packages. But it's a bigger deal for IDP owners, who might see a player such as Jared Allen suddenly become a LB after years as a DE. That'll probably be the biggest change. Fox said Wednesday that Willie Young and Lamarr Houston also figure to play OLB, though we'll be a bit surprised if Houston winds up there. When Houston last played in a 3-4 defense in Oakland, he performed well as a DE. And at 6'3, 300 pounds, he certainly seems to be built much better for that spot. Chicago, of course, has plenty of work ahead this offseason to turn around a D that ranked among the league's worst in 2015. We'll see how all the pieces sort out come minicamp and training camp time.

The Bears confirmed Monday that DE Willie Young tore his left Achilles' tendon in Sunday's loss to the Lions. That injury that often leaves players at less than 100% even after they return the following season. The late date of Young's injury threatens his start to 2015 and could impact his performance throughout the year. We'll keep an eye on his recovery through the offseason. Young began 2014 as a big-time IDP breakout after signing with the Bears in free agency, though he trailed off in the 2nd half of the season.

Bears DE Willie Young left Sunday's loss to the Lions early with an injury to his left Achilles' tendon. We'll likely get more info on the severity come Monday. Young entered the game with a career-high 10 sacks this season, but he cooled way off after a torrid start for IDP owners. We'll see how Chicago's DE situation plays out in the offseason, with Lamarr Houston rehabbing a torn ACL and Jared Allen turning 33 in April.

The Bears confirmed Monday that DE Lamarr Houston is done for the season after rupturing his right ACL during a sack celebration in Sunday's loss at New England. GM Phil Emery told reporters that Houston faces a 6-8 month recovery, which should at least leave him ready for the 2015 season. Houston endured a terrible statistical start to his 1st season in Chicago. His absence will only make it easier for the much more productive Willie Young to find playing time.

The Bears have signed former Lions DE Willie Young to a 3-year, $9 million contract.  He joins Lamarr Houston to likely give Chicago a new pair of starters on the edges.  Young spent most of his 4 Detroit seasons as a situational player.  He sports just 6 career sacks but has contributed much more hidden pressure.  He'll carry some sleeper potential in our 2014 IDP rankings if the Bears do plan to start him.

Lions DE Ziggy Ansah is active for Week 4, as expected.  His abdominal issue never seemed serious, but he did show up as questionable on the injury report.  Both he and fellow DE starter Willie Young present high-upside IDP profiles against the Bears today.