LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Friday acquired defensive end Gaines Adams from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a 2010 second-round draft choice.

The fourth pick in the 2007 draft, Adams appeared in 37 games with 29 starts in three seasons, recording 124 tackles, 13½ sacks, 13 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Gaines Adams had 14 tackles and one sack in five games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.

In five starts at right end this season, Adams compiled 14 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

The 6-5, 258-pounder, scored his only career touchdown last Sept. 21 at Soldier Field when he intercepted a Kyle Orton pass and returned it 45 yards in a 27-24 overtime victory over the Bears. 

The Bears have now traded away their first two picks in next April’s draft. Their first-round selection was part of the package used to acquire Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler. The Bears also obtained a fifth-round choice in that trade that they spent on wide receiver Johnny Knox.

It's unclear whether Adams will play Sunday night in Atlanta. In order to make room for Adams on the 53-man roster, the Bears on Saturday released tight end Michael Gaines.