EAGAN, Minn. — Andrew Sendejo is heading back to Minnesota, the Vikings announced on Wednesday after claiming the safety via waivers.

The 10-year veteran played in nine games and made one start for Philadelphia before his release by the Eagles on Tuesday. He recorded his lone interception of the season and seventh of his career against the Vikings on Oct. 13.

Sendejo is bringing 104 career games, including 59 starts, and plenty of special teams reps with him. He has extensive experience in the Minnesota defense led by Head Coach Mike Zimmer and Defensive Coordinator George Edwards. Sendejo started all 40 games he played from 2015-17, recording five interceptions and 14 pass breakups to help the Vikings win the NFC North in 2015 and 2017.

In his own unique way, Sendejo never left. A statue — some people, myself included, call it a hawk; others refer to it as an eagle — has remained in the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center locker room. Brian Robison, for instance, called it "Eagle-Dejo," but my personal favorite nickname is "Ed Hawkuli."

The statue was gifted to Sendejo by former Vikings linebacker Audie Cole in 2016 and moved from Winter Park to TCO Performance Center in March 2018.

Former-turned-current-again teammates continued to speak highly of him before the Vikings and Eagles met in Week 6. Sendejo and the Eagles visited Dallas the following week.

The native of San Antonio, Texas, played his first two NFL games for the Cowboys in 2010 before landing in Minnesota in 2011.

In order to make room for Sendejo, the Vikings waived rookie safety Marcus Epps.