Bears' Lamarr Houston, Willie Young cleared for training camp

Lamarr Houston and Willie Young have been cleared to participate in practice when Chicago Bears training camp gets underway this week.

Head coach John Fox conceded Wednesday the two outside linebackers could be brought along slowly as they work their way back from season-ending injuries, but each will avoid the PUP list to start camp.

Houston's 2014 campaign was brought to an end when he suffered a torn ACL celebrating a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in late October, while Young tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 16.

Such injuries made it possible neither player would be ready for Week 1, let alone for the start of training camp, but their availability is a positive for Chicago's revamped defensive front.

Houston and Young will team up with Jared Allen and Pernell McPhee to give the Bears a deep group of edge rushers, helping the defense transition to a 3-4 scheme under new coordinator Vic Fangio.