LAKE FOREST, Ill. David Backes Bruins Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears released eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers on Tuesday, one of several moves they made to reshape their struggling defence. The Bears also agreed to a five-year contract with former Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston, a two-year contract with former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants safety Ryan Mundy, and one-year deals with linebackers Jordan Senn and D.J. Williams. But the biggest move as they tried to shore up a defence that got shredded by injuries and ranked among the leagues worst last season involved Peppers. Given the way he struggled last season and the fact that his salary cap hit for next season was for more than $18 million, the Bears were expected to let him go or restructure his contract. "We appreciate Julius contributions to the Bears over the last four years," general manager Phil Emery said in a statement. "He was a leader on our defence starting every game since coming to Chicago. His accomplishments over his NFL career place him among the best defensive ends over the past 20 years. The Chicagoland community has benefited greatly from his quiet generosity. We wish him the best." Peppers is the second high-profile player to part ways with the Bears this off-season, joining record returner Devin Hester. Those moves come after they split with Brian Urlacher following the 2012 season. Peppers, who turned 34 in January, finished with just seven sacks, his lowest total in four seasons with Chicago and the fewest for him since he had a career-low 2 1/2 with Carolina in 2007. Three times last year he failed to register a tackle, and the Bears defence ranked among the worst in the NFL. But Peppers has been one of the best at his position during his career. In his 12 seasons with Carolina (2002-2009) and Chicago (2010-13), he ranks second in the NFL with 118 1/2 sacks. He has nine interceptions -- the most by a defensive lineman since 2002 -- and his 39 career forced fumbles are fifth most in the league during that time. On special teams, Peppers has 11 blocked kicks during his career. With the Bears, Peppers had 38 sacks along with three interceptions, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. But he was inconsistent last season. At times, he showed that old burst. Too often, he was a nonfactor. The defence, overall, was a mess for the Bears last season because of injuries and poor execution. Williams, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, and Henry Melton missed big chunks of the season. Nickel back Kelvin Hayden and defensive tackle Nate Collins also suffered season-ending injuries. And the Bears couldnt stop the run or get to the quarterback. Chicago allowed a league-high 5.3 yards per carry, half a yard more than any other team, and tied Jacksonville with an NFL-worst with 31 sacks. Houston started all 16 games last season for Oakland and was one of the few playmakers on a 4-12 team. He led the Raiders with a career-high six sacks and got 16 in four seasons with them. Mundy made a career-high nine starts with the Giants last season after spending his first four with Pittsburgh. He had 70 tackles and a 91-yard interception return along with two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He also had seven special teams stops. Senn has appeared in 83 games with seven starts over six seasons with Indianapolis (2008-09) and Carolina (2009-13). He was primarily a special-teams player last season. Williams appeared in six games and made four starts at middle linebacker last season after signing a one-year deal with Chicago. A ruptured pectoral muscle tendon cut short his season. Jaromir Jagr Jersey . James Erskine said Tuesday that Thorpe was "quite sick" in a Sydney hospital but dismissed media reports the swimmer might lose the use of his left arm. "Hes not in the intensive care," Erskine said. Kevan Miller Jersey . -- LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the Trail Blazers lineup, happy to know that things didnt go awry without him.PHILADELPHIA - Darren Sproles burst onto the scene in his early appearances with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, as the season heads down the stretch, Sproles has become almost a forgotten man.There have been times where we intend to get him the ball and we cant for some reason, Eagles offensive co-ordinator Pat Shurmur said.Sproles averaged 13 touches in the first two games of the season, higher than his average through his nine-year career with San Diego and New Orleans.But in the last 10 games, one of which he missed with a knee injury, Sproles has a total of 48 touches — 30 carries and 18 catches — for an average of less than five per game.You get frustrated, sure, the soft-spoken Sproles said.The Eagles have been better when Sproles gets the ball more. In their nine wins this season he averages about 7 1/2 touches; in four losses he has less than three per game.During the 24-14 loss to Seattle on Sunday he had four carries for no yards and was not thrown a pass.We are trying to (get Sproles involved), but I think a lot of times they did some different things, Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. They dropped Earl Thomas down a few times to kind of double him.Kelly said Sproles impact the first few games spurred different coverages desiggned to stop him. Matt Grzelcyk Jersey. proles said defences are more aware of him.Teams are starting to double me more than they were before and thats frustrating, too, he said. But Ive seen double teams before. If Im getting doubled then someone else should be open, right?And he needs to be on the field to draw the double coverage.It all depends on whats going on in the game, Sproles said. What the defence is doing and how theyre playing me. Were seeing some man, were seeing a lot of cover 3 to stop our middle stuff.Sunday, the Eagles play the Cowboys. Sproles had limited success against Dallas two weeks ago.NOTES: The Eagles signed safety Jerome Couplin off the Detroit Lions practice squad to get back to the 53-man roster limit. Tuesday, cornerback Roc Carmichael was released. Couplin, an undrafted free agent out of William and Mary, played in eight games for the Lions this season before being placed on the practice squad. . Kicker Cody Parkey, who continues to battle a groin injury and running back Chris Polk (ankle) were limited in Wednesdays practice. Tight end and special teams player Trey Burton, who sat out last weeks game with a hamstring injury, was back at practice. Rookie Josh Huff (hip) was also back at practice. ' ' '