Former University of Minnesota safety Brock Vereen is signing with the Vikings practice squad and will work out with the team Thursday.

“I’m very excited,” Vereen told the Pioneer Press after arriving Wednesday night in Minnesota. “I’m very happy to be here. I’m very happy for the opportunity, and I hope to make the most of it. They told me I’ll come in on the practice squad with the opportunity to move up.”

Vereen was waived Tuesday by Chicago and cleared waivers Wednesday. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft.

“I guess I honestly haven’t thought about it much,” Vereen said about being waived by the Bears. “It was a bang-bang situation as far as being waived and ending up here. I’ve spent most of my time being excited about being (in Minnesota).”

The Vikings had an opening on the practice squad after linebacker Brian Peters was picked up Wednesday by the Houston Texans.

“All I can do is come in and work hard and everything else will take care of itself,” Vereen said.

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