TMZ.com reports former Cowboys and Bears RB Marion Barber was arrested Sunday, and is currently being held for "mental detention and observation."

The arrest occurred in Texas. Few details are available, but TMZ claims "sources" told them the incident "occurred at a nearby church." Barber, 31, retired from the NFL in 2012. He has no known history of off-the-field problems.

Bears announced RB Marion Barber's retirement from football.

Barber isn't yet 29, but his body has begun to break down, particularly in the legs, and he's no longer an effective NFL runner. After a highly promising start to his career in Dallas, Barber averaged under 3.8 yards per carry in three of the past four seasons. The 2005 fourth-round pick was one of the NFL's most physical backs during the 2005-2007 campaigns, however, scoring 33 all-purpose touchdowns in his first three years. Ultimately, Barber was the personification of short shelf lives for power running backs in the NFL.

Bears RB Marion Barber, expected to be released, is reportedly drawing interest from the Rams and Eagles.

Barber would be purely a backup for either team, replacing Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown respectively. He won't be guaranteed to make a roster this summer after averaging a paltry 3.5 yards per carry over the past two seasons.

The Bears would save $1.7 million in salary cap space by releasing Marion Barber.

We're surprised the move hasn't been made yet. The Bears aren't in hot pursuit of any top remaining free agents, but they could use the savings to lock up in-house players long term. Franchise player Matt Forte comes to mind, as does Jay Cutler. Forte is under control only through 2012; Cutler through 2013.

Marion Barber has reportedly made it clear that he does not expect to be back with the Bears for the 2012 season.

He's already moved out of the Chicago-area apartment that he lived in last season. Bypassed by Kahlil Bell in the backfield pecking order, the 29-year-old (in June) Barber will likely be released in the coming days.

Marion Barber is a "prime candidate to be released" this offseason.

He's as good as gone after restricted free agent Kahlil Bell's late-season emergence as a viable insurance policy for Matt Forte. Turning 29 in June, Barber carries a $2.25 million cap charge in addition to a $1.9 million base salary.

According to the Chicago Tribune, "it would not be surprising" if the Bears release Marion Barber this offseason.

The Bears are likely going to franchise tag Matt Forte and pay Kahlil Bell over $1 million, so it wouldn't make sense to keep Barber as a third-stringer for over $2 million. Releasing Barber would also create salary cap room.

Bears declared RB Marion Barber, QB Nathan Enderle, OG Mansfield Wrotto, OT Levi Horn, TE Andre Smith, DT Jordan Miller, and DE Corey Wootton inactive for Week 17 at Minnesota.

Kahlil Bell and Josh McCown are locked in as full-time players with Barber and Enderle out. Bell is a top-10 fantasy play this week, according to Rotoworld's Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling.

Marion Barber (calf) is listed as doubtful for Week 17.

Kahlil Bell and undrafted rookie Armando Allen will handle backfield duties against Minnesota. Barber will finish the season with 422 rushing yards on 114 carries (3.70 YPC). While he flashed an improved burst at times this year, it's clear Barber has lost the majority of his explosiveness and passing-game value. He'll be an offseason release candidate in Chicago.

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice for the second straight day Thursday.

Barber isn't going to suit up for Sunday's finale, leaving Armando Allen to back-up Kahlil Bell against the Vikings. Bell is Rotoworld's 11th ranked running back for Week 17.

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice Wednesday.

Barber was originally expected to give it a go today, but apparently couldn't get loose. Severely out-played by Kahlil Bell since Matt Forte was lost for the season, Barber will only be used in change-of-pace role if he's active for Week 17.

Bears coach Lovie Smith expressed frustration Monday with Marion Barber's proneness to injuries.

"It's a concern always when a player has missed time," said Smith. "He's been a player who's been injured quite a bit." Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune speculates Barber will have "an awful hard time" being the Bears' No. 2 back next season. Kahlil Bell has passed him on the depth chart, making it questionable to doubtful that the Bears would pay Barber's $2.25M in salary and bonuses.

The Chicago Tribune reports Marion Barber (calf) will sit out Saturday's game in Green Bay.

Barber's absence leaves Kahlil Bell as the primary ball-carrier and potential three-down back. "There are bigger concerns I have, and Kahlil is not one of them," coach Lovie Smith said. "... I'm excited about the opportunity he has." A candidate for 20+ touches, Bell is now a top-25 fantasy option for Week 16.

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice for the second straight day Thursday.

Barber has an extra day to get back on the practice field with the Bears playing in this week's only Sunday game, but all signs are pointing toward Kahlil Bell operating as Chicago's lead back against the Packers' 12th ranked run defense. Bell is Rotoworld's 34th ranked running back for Week 16, while Barber is 38th.

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice Wednesday.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes the Bears will use a 60:40 backfield split between Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell.

"Hot hand gets the carries," writes Biggs. Barber has had a bigger workload all year than Bell, so we'd expect the former to end up with more rushing attempts. Bell could turn out to be more productive in PPR leagues, however, as he'll play more in passing situations. Barber is still the preferred flex option in non-PPR fantasy football leagues.

Carrying the load after Matt Forte went down early with a knee injury, Marion Barber rushed 14 times for 44 yards in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs.

Barber again appeared to have plenty of life left in his 28-year-old legs, but could only do so much against a Chiefs defense free to stack the box with Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie posing no downfield threat. Seven of Barber's 14 rushes ended up going for fewer than four yards, while he was stopped for a loss or no gain four times. Barber's worth an add in all formats with Forte likely to miss Week 14, but will find things extremely tough going against a stout Seahawks' run defense that won't have to respect the pass.

Marion Barber rushed 13 times for 27 yards in the Bears' Week 10 win over the Lions.

Barber didn't find the end zone, but saw an increase in carries with the Bears sitting on a massive lead. It's worth noting that Matt Forte -- not Barber -- scored from six yards out in the first quarter on a carry deep in the red zone. Barber will probably remain the favorite for Chicago's goal-line work going forward, but it's no longer a lock and he won't be a Week 11 fantasy option.

Marion Barber rushed the ball nine times for 31 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' Week 10 win over the Eagles.

He added one catch for eight yards, as well. Having seen just six rushing attempts all season, he got the extra work because the Bears burrowed themselves near the goal line more than usual. Matt Forte also lost a handful of snaps due to his newfound case of the fumbles. Barber now has a touchdown in four of the five games he has played in this year, and should be owned in touchdown-only formats.

Marion Barber carried the ball six times for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Bucs.

Twenty nine of Barber's 39 yards came on one carry, while he capped the Bears' opening drive of the second half with a 12-yard score. His other four carries went for zero, one, zero and negative-three yards. However, Barber has now found the end zone in three of his first four games this season, and is worth an own in touchdown-only leagues.