Nate

Collins

After stopping Collins for illegal window tint, police smelled marijuana and later found a duffle bag with joints in the trunk. A rotational tackle last season, Collins is the first Jaguars player arrested since Gene Smith took over as general manager more than two years ago. The arrest could affect Collins’ future in Jacksonville, as he’s scheduled for exclusive rights free agency.

Seattle isn’t afraid to take chances on players with off-field character concerns, and Collins was arrested for marijuana possession in February, before the Jaguars cut ties. At 6-foot-2, 290, Collins is an up-field gap shooter.

Collins may have written his ticket out of Jacksonville when he was arrested for possession of marijuana in late February. He played fewer than 200 snaps last season as a backup.

An undersized, one-gap pass rusher, Collins is 24 years old and will be a long shot for a roster spot in Chicago. He had 10 tackles in 12 games last season.

The under-sized pass rusher was signed in May despite a February arrest for marijuana possession. The suspension won’t help Collins in his bid to land the final defensive tackle spot this fall.

Collins looked good during training camp and preseason games, but this is the first time he will be active on game day this season. The Bears declared WR Alshon Jeffery, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, G Edwin Williams, DT Matt Toeaina, TE Brody Eldridge, DT Amobi Okoye, and DE Cheta Ozougwu inactive for Week 8 against the Panthers.

According to beat writer Brad Biggs, Collins will be tendered at the original-round level, which comes with a $1.33 million price tag. Collins was active just nine times in 2012, playing 247 snaps and tallying 11 tackles.

Collins is not ruling out a return to Chicago, though. “Absolutely there is a chance I will be back,” Collins said. “I think that they’re going to offer me a one-year minimum (contract) again. I’m going to weigh my options over the next few days, see if someone else wants to offer a multi-year (deal).” He could easily be back.

A restricted free agent, Collins wasn’t tendered a contract. That means he should be re-signing for less than the “low” tender of $1.32 million. Active only nine times in 2012, Collins played 247 snaps. He’ll fight for a roster spot in camp.

Collins was jostling with a New Orleans offensive lineman when his left knee appeared to give out. The Bears have already lost DT Henry Melton for the season to a torn ACL. Collins was playing every snap in Melton’s place.