LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears have signed six undrafted rookie free agents and released wide receiver Airese Currie, a 2005 fifth-round pick who was plagued by injuries.

Grambling cornerback Greg Fassitt runs downfield during Bears rookie minicamp.

The group includes Maryland running back Josh Allen, Northwestern State defensive tackle Tory Collins, Grambling cornerback Greg Fassitt, Virginia tight end Fontel Mines, California cornerback Tim Mixon and Nebraska safety Andrew Shanle.

Allen rushed for 922 and 533 yards in two seasons as a starter in 2003-04 before missing the entire 2005 campaign with a knee injury. The 5-11, 215-pounder returned to play in 13 games with no starts last season, rushing for 98 yards on 33 carries.

Quick and agile, Collins is ideally suited for the Bears’ aggressive one-gap defense. The 6-3, 280-pounder was a three-year starter and three-year All-Southland Conference selection at Northwestern State, where he recorded 185 career tackles after transferring from LSU.

Mines earned praised from coach Lovie Smith, who called the converted wide receiver the most pleasant surprise of the rookie minicamp.

“He really came out of nowhere and really got our attention,” Smith said.

Mines had 28 receptions for 345 yards and 2 TDs as a junior wide receiver in 2005 and caught 27 passes for 256 yards and 2 TDs while starting all 12 games as a senior.

Mixon is recovering from a torn ACL that forced him to miss his entire senior season. The 5-10, 184-pounder was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection as a junior after intercepting three passes and averaging 14.9 yards on 24 punt returns including a 79-yard TD against Illinois.

Shanle is a smart, speedy and competitive safety from Nebraska, the same school that produced Bears safety Mike Brown. The 6-1, 210-pounder recorded 57 tackles, seven pass breakups and four interceptions last season. Shanle’s brother, Scott, is a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints.

Currrie, meanwhile, was released after injuries limited him to just one game in two seasons. He appeared in the 2006 season opener, a 26-0 victory over the Packers in Green Bay.