The Atlanta Falcons aim to strengthen their defensive line by adding Gervon Dexter Sr. from the Chicago Bears on cut-down day.

The Falcons sent cornerback Clark Phillips III along with a fifth-round draft selection to the Bears on Sunday morning in exchange for Dexter, according to sources who spoke with ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.

Dexter, 24, started the past two seasons in Chicago and recorded 11 sacks over that span. The Bears chose him in the second round of the 2023 draft.

New Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham served as the Bears' assistant GM at the time they drafted Dexter, who is now playing the final year of his rookie contract.

The Falcons had issues stopping the run last season and focused on bolstering the middle of their defensive line. They acquired Maason Smith in a trade and added Da'Shawn Hand and Chris Williams as free agents during the offseason.

Hand, viewed as a potential key contributor, suffered a leg injury early in training camp and has yet to resume practicing. The 6-foot-6, 326-pound Dexter adds size and physicality inside.

Dexter dealt with a hamstring issue during Tuesday's practice, Bears coach Ben Johnson said. He skipped the trip to Tennessee for Chicago's joint practice and preseason finale Saturday night versus the Titans.

Phillips, 24, was selected by the Falcons in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. He started seven games across 2023 and 2024, primarily at outside corner, but sat out most of last season due to a triceps injury.

Chicago invested heavily in interior depth this offseason by signing free agents Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street and James Lynch. Their only defensive line selection in the draft arrived in the sixth round with Georgia Tech's Jordan van den Berg.

The rookie received strong reviews from coaches over the past six weeks after earning regular first-team opportunities.

"He's a beast," Johnson said of van den Berg. "This guy is an incredible athlete. He is still learning the game of football to a degree, and yet it is amazing what he brings to the table."