Cowboys Sign Melton

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Free-agent defensive tackle Henry Melton is headed to Dallas.

The former University of Texas player announced Tuesday night via Twitter that he was returning to the Longhorn state. ESPN reported that Melton landed a multiyear deal, but no financial terms were available.

“Thank you chicago for the best 5 years of my life!…. I can’t wait to begin the next chapter of my life… With a star on my helmet,” Melton tweeted.

The move was speculated for the past few weeks. The Cowboys are in need of help on the defensive side after losing Demarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher in free agency.

There is some uncertainty surrounding Melton, who was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012. He suffered a torn ACL last season, was arrested and also is not considered to be strong against the run. But at least four teams were mentioned in the past week as having interest in signing him as a free agent.

In 48 career regular-season games with the Bears, Melton had 88 tackles, 15 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

With the Cowboys, Melton will be reunited with new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who served in the same position with the Bears.

The reported deal with Melton likely means that the Cowboys will not pursue free-agent defensive tackle Jared Allen, according to NFL.com