GREEN BAY − Brian Gutekunst’s search for help on the Green Bay Packers decimated defensive line continued into Week 18.

The Packers general manager claimed defensive tackle Jonathan Ford off waivers from the Chicago Bears. It’s a reunion with Ford, the Packers’ seventh-round draft pick in 2022 who spent his first two seasons in Green Bay.

Ford never appeared in a game with the Packers. He was on their 53-man roster his entire rookie season but remained inactive. A year later, Ford spent the 2023 season on their practice squad. He was placed on injured reserve late in training camp before the 2024 season. Ford was activated in October but shortly released and placed on the practice squad until the Bears signed him in December.

Ford has played 12 games with the Bears over the past two seasons, including eight this year. He played 96 snaps with 15 special-teams reps before being released Dec. 27.

At 6-foot-5, 346 pounds, Ford is a limited pass rusher but has the size to defend the run. The Packers lost defensive tackle Jordon Riley for the season to an Achilles injury last week against the Baltimore Ravens, the latest in a string of departures from their defensive tackle position that includes Devonte Wyatt (season-ending injury) and Kenny Clark (traded to Dallas before the season).