ARIZONA RATTLERS

Arizona Rattlers’ A.J. Cruz signs with Chicago Bears

Jul 28, 2015, 2:24 PM | Updated: 2:25 pm

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The three-time defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona Rattlers lost a key member of their team this week when the Chicago Bears of the NFL signed jack-of-all trades A.J. Cruz to a three-year deal.

Cruz, who was in his first season with the Rattlers, had played on offense, defense and special teams for head coach Kevin Guy. The 25-year-old had 27 receptions for 220 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran 11 times for 46 yards and three more scores.

Defensively, the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder registered 34 total tackles and six pass breakups.

But it was on special teams where the former Brown standout made his biggest impact. Cruz returned 51 kicks for 1,221 yards (23.9 yards per attempt) and six touchdowns — which is second in the AFL to Portland’s Duane Brooks, who has seven return touchdowns.

Cruz was signed by the Bears as a wide receiver and return specialist. He is the 12th receiver on Chicago’s depth chart.

The Bears open camp Wednesday at Olivet Nazerene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., about 60 miles south of Chicago.

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