Ratliff was released by the Bears on Thursday.
After accruing 6.5 sacks in just 11 games last season, Ratliff entered 2015 as the Bears' top defensive lineman, making his release an unexpected development. It appears his termination wasn't for performance-based reasons, as Ratliff's dismissal likely stemmed from a heated argument with GM Ryan Pace outside the Bears' practice facility Wednesday morning, according to ESPN Chicago's Jeff Dickerson. The Chicago Sun-Times' Adam Jahns reports that the confrontation required police intervention, with Ratliff ultimately escorted away from the premises. It's not clear what's next for the 34-year-old, whose off-the-field baggage and history of disruptive behavior in the locker room may give other teams pause in signing him.
Ratliff (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
After serving a three-game suspension to begin the season and missing another game due to the ankle injury he sustained in the preseason, Ratliff is finally ready to make his 2015 debut. He's expected to start at the three-technique tackle spot, moving rookie Eddie Goldman to a bench role.
Bears defensive end Jeremiah Ratliff was suspended by the NFL for three games Monday for violating the league's substance abuse policy, per ESPN.com.
Ratliff can participate in the preseason, but he will not be allowed to return to the team until Monday, Sept. 28. He pleaded guilty in April to a DWI charge from 2013, where he crashed his car into an 18-wheeler and his blood-alcohol limit was more than twice the legal limit.
Ratliff had 6.5 sacks with the Bears last season, his first after four Pro Bowl-seasons with the Cowboys.
Bears safety Chris Conte will miss Sunday's game against the Vikings with a back injury. Conte was unable to practice all week. He played 12 games this season, recording 43 tackles and three interceptions. Also out are quarterback Jimmy Clausen (concussion) and kicker Robbie Gould (quad).
Defensive end Jared Allen (ribs), defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff, and cornerback Al Lewis-Jean (hamstring) are all listed a questionable for Sunday.
David Bass (knee), Ego Ferguson (ankle), Kyle Long (hip) and Marquess Wilson (knee) are all listed as probable.
The Bears are 6-point underdogs for Sunday's game.
The Bears have ruled defensive tackle Will Sutton (illness), cornerback Tim Jennings (ankle), guard Kyle Long (hip) and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) questionable for Week 16 against Detroit. Meanwhile, cornerback Kyle Fuller (hand) and linebacker Shea McClellin (ankle) were designated as probable.
Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) and defensive end Cornelius Washington (ankle) are active for Monday's game against New Orleans after being listed as questionable.
Bears safety Chris Conte is on the verge of sitting out Week 15 against the Saints after sitting out practice on Saturday, per the team's official website. He was the only player on Chicago's final injury report for their Monday game listed as doubtful.
Defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (knee), defensive end Cornelius Washington (ankle) and offensive lineman Michael Ola (back) were all deemed questionable.
The Bears have listed Terrance Mitchell, Khaseem Greene, Eben Britton, Jeremiah Ratliff, Robbie Gould, Darryl Sharpton and Cornelius Washington as inactive for Week 14 against the Cowboys.
Sharpton was the only player ruled out prior to the contest. He's dealing with a hamstring injury. Gould was considered doubtful coming in due to a quad issue. He'll be replaced by Jay Feely. Ratliff was questionable due to a knee injury.
Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff is expected to return Thursday against the Cowboys, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Ratliff, who has 4.5 sacks this year, missed Week 13 against the Lions.
The Bears released their injury report for Thursday's game against the Cowboys. Linebacker Darryl Sharpton (hamstring) is the only player ruled out.
Cornerback Tim Jennings (calf), guard Kyle Long (groin) and defensive end Trevor Scott (knee) are probable. Safety Chris Conte (eye) and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) are questionable. Defensive end Cornelius Washington (chest) is doubtful.
Bears cornerback Terrance Mitchell, linebacker Darryl Sharpton, linebacker Lance Briggs, offensive lineman Eben Britton, defensive lineman Trevor Scott, wide receiver Chris Williams and defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff were all ruled inactive Week 13 at Detroit.
The Bears have listed their Week 13 injury report prior to Thursday's game.
Wideout Brandon Marshall has been listed as probable with an ankle injury. He's been limited in practice throughout the week, but should play. Eben Britton, Jordan Mills and Brock Vereen were also listed as probable.
First-round pick Kyle Fuller will come into the contest as a game-time decision. He's questionable due to a knee injury. Both Jeremiah Ratliff and Trevor Scott will be listed as doubtful.
Lance Briggs, Darryl Sharpton, Chris Williams and Brian De La Puente have already been ruled out.
The Bears will have their probable players Week 8 against the Patriots.
Tight end Martellus Bennett leads the list. He came into the contest with a hamstring injury, but will give it a go. Chris Conte and Kyle Fuller will also play, giving the team a boost in the secondary. Defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff is also expected to play.
The Bears have listed the following players as inactive for Sunday's Week 6 matchup with the Falcons: offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, cornerback Sherrick McManis, safety Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) and linebackers Lance Briggs (ribs), D.J. Williams (neck), Shea McClellin (hand) and Jon Bostic (back).
Williams had been listed as probable and Bostic as questionable on the team's final injury report, but they join Briggs and McClellin on the inactive list to leave the Bears without the team's top four linebackers. Cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad) is active after being listed as questionable, while safety Chris Conte (concussion), center Roberto Garza (ankle) and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) are also active after being listed as probable.
The Friday injury report issued by the Bears for their Week 6 game at Atlanta is headlined by the thumbs-down given to linebackers Lance Briggs (ribs) and Shea McClellin (hand). But they are not the only Chicago players ruled out.
Also red-lighted are offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod (knee/ankle) and Taylor Boggs (hamstring) and safety Ahmad Dixon (hamstring).
The questionables are linebacker Jonathan Bostic (back) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad). Safety Chris Conte (concussion), offensive lineman Roberto Garza (ankle), nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) and linebacker D.J. Williams (neck) are all probable.
Bears center Roberto Garza (ankle) has been ruled out for the Sunday game at Carolina. He had been deemed doubtful. The same fate also has befallen cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad). Safety Ahmad Dixon (hamstring), tackle Jermon Bushrod (knee/ankle), linebacker Shea McClellin (hand) and nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) are also inactive.
Their lone healthy scratch is tackle Charles Leno.
The Bears have ruled out four players heading into Week 5.
Jermon Bushrod, Ahmad Dixon, Shea McClellin and Jeremiah Ratliff will not be able to play. Bushrod practiced Wednesday, but tweaked his knee and will miss the game. All four players were unable to practice Friday.
Defensive end Jared Allen (illness) is the headliner among the defensive questionables for the Bears on Friday for their Sunday game against Green Bay. Also receiving that designation are safety Chris Conte (shoulder) and wideout Brandon Marshall (ankle).
Five Bears have been ruled out. They are offensive linemen Matt Slauson (ankle) and Roberto Garza (ankle), linebacker Shea McClellin (hand), cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad) and nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion).
Free safety Ryan Mundy (shoulder) and defensive end Trevor Scott (foot) are probable.
The Bears declared linebacker Shea McClellin (hand), defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion), center Roberto Garza (ankle), cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad), guard Matt Slauson (ankle), defensive end Trevor Scott (foot) and offensive tackle Charles Leno inactive for Monday's game at the Jets.
Five injured Bears players will miss Monday's game against the Jets, according to the team's final injury report Saturday: linebacker Shea McClellin (hand), defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion), cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad) and offensive linemen Matt Slauson (ankle) and Roberto Garza (ankle).
In addition, defensive end Trevor Scott (foot) has been listed as doubtful. On the positive side, defensive end Jared Allen (back), safety Chris Conte (shoulder) and wide receiver Josh Morgan (groin) are listed as probable to play Monday.