LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Tuesday bolstered their secondary by signing veteran cornerback Rod Hood to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.

Rod Hood practiced with the Bears for the first time on Tuesday.

Hood has played six NFL seasons with the Eagles (2003-06) and Cardinals (2007-08), appearing in 84 games with 42 starts. The 5-11, 198-pounder has recorded 203 tackles, 11 interceptions, five fumble recoveries and 41 special-teams tackles. He also has scored three touchdowns, two on interception returns and one on a return of a blocked field goal.

Hood started 14 games and played in the Super Bowl for the Cardinals last year, but he was released by Arizona during the offseason. The Auburn product visited the Bears as a free agent before signing with the Browns in May. But he was cut by Cleveland on Monday.

"I just thank God that coach Lovie [Smith] gave me the opportunity to come back here, and I'm glad to be here," Hood said.

"Any way I can help the team, I’m here to do that, and just glad for the opportunity. It’s a good opportunity, but this is a good team. I’m going to have go in here and fight my way like I would do [with] any other team. 

"But I’m glad to be a part of the organization. They’ve got a lot of history, and I’ve got a lot of respect for the coaches here.”

The Bears haven't given Hood any guarantees.

“They really haven’t told me what was expected,” he said. “I know they want me to come in here and compete and be aggressive, and that’s how they play. They have an aggressive style defense; I just know by playing against them when I was on different teams, and it’s a fun defense to play in.”

The two cornerbacks who are expected to start this season for the Bears both have missed the first three preseason games. Charles Tillman is recovering from back surgery, while Zackary Bowman practiced Tuesday as he continues to rebound from a hamstring injury he suffered in training camp.

Nate Vasher and Trumaine McBride have been starting at the position this summer. McBride struggled in Sunday night’s preseason win in Denver, missing a tackle on Eddie Royal’s 24-yard reception that led to a field goal and yielding Brandon Lloyd’s 16-yard catch that set up a touchdown.

To make room for Hood on the roster, the Bears waived rookie receiver Derek Kinder. The seventh-round draft pick from Pittsburgh caught one pass for four yards in three preseason games. 

Hood isn't sure how much he’ll play Thursday night against the Browns, the team that just cut him.

“I’m trying to get my head around the defense and just trying to learn as much as possible to be ready on Thursday when I get my number called,” Hood said. “Football is football, but at the end of the day you have to be able to learn the system and adjust to where you’re at. But it’s a great opportunity for me. I’m taking it [as a] positive.”