The Bears have signed LS Chris Massey to a one-year contract and waived DE/LS Jake Laptad. Massey appeared in 135 games over nine seasons with the Rams after being selected by St. Louis in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. Massey handled the long snapping duties in all nine seasons with the Rams.

The Chiefs claimed former Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton on waivers Wednesday, according to an NFL source. This means they now will take over his contractual rights for the remainder of this season and the Broncos are free of the $2.5 million they would have owed Orton. The Bears also put in a claim on Orton, but Kansas City had a higher priority. Matt Cassel hurt his throwing hand in the Chiefs' 17-10 loss to Denver on Nov. 13 and had season-ending surgery the next day.

The Bears will try to claim quarterback Kyle Orton, let go on Tuesday by the Broncos, on waivers. Chicago lost starter Jay Cutler to a thumb injury this week. Orton was once Cutler's backup in Denver and has played for the Bears earlier in his career. If another team claims him, it will be responsible for about $3 million in salary, which is what remains of his roughly $9 million contract for 2011. If nobody claims him, he'll be free to sign with anybody.

The Buccaneers have claimed defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, who was released by the Patriots on Tuesday. Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik confirmed the move, saying the team more than likely would not have been interested in Haynesworth if they had not lost Gerald McCoy for the season this week because of a torn right biceps. In six games with the Patriots, Haynesworth had just three tackles and no sacks. His last play came in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Giants when left guard David Diehl blocked him to clear the way for Brandon Jacobs' 10-yard touchdown run with 9:10 left in the third quarter.

The Browns have waived wide receiver Brian Robiskie. A former second-round draft pick, Robiskie was waived Tuesday to make room for free agent running back Thomas Clayton, who played in two games for them last season and has been brought back because of injuries to Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. The 24-year-old's role was reduced this season and he has steadily slipped down first-year coach Pat Shurmur's depth chart.