The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with cornerback Zack Bowman. The Bears announced the agreement on Friday.||||||| Bowman has appeared in 57 games with 16 starts over five seasons with the Bears, recording seven interceptions and 13 pass break ups and five fumble recoveries - including two for touchdowns. He played in 11 games last season, recovering two fumbles and returning one for a touchdown.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed Bowman to a one-year contract.||||||| Bowman led the Bears with six interceptions and 10 passes defensed in 2009. But he lost his starting job in 2010 and never regained it in the past two seasons. In Minnesota, he'll be relied upon to add depth to a Vikings secondary that struggled last season. The 27-year-old likely will also be used on special teams.

Bowman will make his first career start in place of Nate Vasher at right cornerback Sunday against the Steelers.||||||| Bears coach Lovie Smith has been impressed with Bowman, who had about a dozen snaps at cornerback in the season-opening loss at Green Bay after battling a hamstring pull in training camp.

Bowman scored a touchdown on a fumble and intercepted a pass in the Bears' 48-41 win over the Vikings last Sunday, but suffered a biceps injury and is expected to have surgery within the next few weeks. He was then placed on the IR||||||| Bowman had been elevated from the practice squad last week to help the Bears' injury-depleted secondary.