Credit to the Chicago Bears for acting so quickly to get some help in the secondary after multiple injuries dropped in training camp late last week because Xavier Woods is making himself at home.
Safety Coby Bryant's injury, along with multiple other defensive backs getting hurt, including Cam Lewis, prompted the Bears to go on the offensive and sign four defensive backs over the last few days. The most notable one, though, was Woods, now entering his 10th season in the NFL.
Woods was quiet on his first day of practice since he was learning everything so quickly. On his second day on Sunday, though, he made his presence known.
Xavier Woods stunned Bears at latest practice with incredible day of work
More storms in the Chicago area shut down practice to be outdoors in front of the fans, so the team moved inside. Little did the Bears know that Woods brought the storms inside as well with his play.
“Woods laid a heavy hit on Colston Loveland over the middle and made a strong impression on his second day with the Bears," ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin said.
“Xavier Woods intercepted a Caleb Williams throw in the final team period," CHGO's Adam Jahns reported. "He also hit TE Colston Loveland hard on a 4th-and-10 play.”
In 134 career games, Woods has racked up 660 tackles, 50 pass deflections, 15 interceptions, 11 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and two sacks. Last season with the Tennessee Titans, he had 39 tackles, three pass deflections, two interceptions, and one sack in 11 games. Pro Football Focus gave him a 65.4 grade, ranking 46th out of 98 NFL safeties.
It was exactly the kind of start the Bears needed from Woods early on, since they have a lot of new pieces to that defense. The biggest one is rookie first-round pick Dillon Thieneman, who could use some mentoring, and seeing Woods play will help with that.
Woods is no slouch as a defender either, with a long NFL career mostly as a starter. The Bears got someone who can lay the hit on a player while making a play on the ball when it is in the air.
With Lewis also injured and his return timeline unknown, Woods looks set to be the Week 1 starter as long as he stays healthy. So far, he looks great, and the Bears should be happy they got him.
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Bears fans have every right to be excited about Woods because, let's face it, after all the injuries over the last week, this team needs it. Woods is a welcome sight after some rough times.
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