Chicago Bears sign safety Xavier Woods to bolster depleted secondary

The Bears added veteran safety Xavier Woods on August 7th to shore up a secondary hit hard by early injuries.

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Chicago Bears sign safety Xavier Woods to bolster depleted secondary — Zeitline cover graphic

The Chicago Bears signed safety Xavier Woods on August 7th to add veteran depth after injuries depleted their secondary. Woods, drafted in the sixth round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, has nine seasons of NFL experience and 121 career starts. He played 11 games for the Tennessee Titans in 2025, recording 39 tackles (23 solo). The signing

The Chicago Bears signed safety Xavier Woods on August 7th. Xavier Woods, drafted sixth overall in the 2017 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, has spent nine seasons in the league, including 11 games for the Tennessee Titans in 2025 where he recorded 39 tackles (23 solo). He played college football at Louisiana Tech University. His signing follows injuries to safeties Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis that left the Bears' secondary thin. Cornerback Dallis Flowers was placed on injured reserve as part of the corresponding move. The move adds veteran depth at a position hit by early camp injuries. With limited experience behind the starting safeties, the Bears rely on Woods to provide stability and accelerate the development of younger players. His presence is intended to shore up a defense that has been tested quickly in training camp.

Injuries open space for new additions

Safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Cam Lewis are nursing knee injuries that have left the Bears short‑handed early in camp. The depleted secondary has forced Chicago to look beyond untested backups. Veteran safety Xavier Woods, who has logged 121 career starts over nine NFL seasons, was signed on August 7th to add depth. Woods previously played 11 games for the Tennessee Titans in 2025, recording 39 tackles with 23 solo stops. His experience spans stints with the Dallas Cowboys, where he was drafted in the sixth round of 2017, and a brief run with the Titans. The move follows the placement of cornerback Dallis Flowers on injured reserve, a transaction confirmed by multiple outlets. By turning to a player with proven reliability, the Bears hope to stabilize a unit that lost Bryant and Lewis to injury.

  1. Xavier Woods was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

  2. Xavier Woods played 11 games for the Tennessee Titans, recording 39 tackles (23 solo).

  3. The Chicago Bears signed safety Xavier Woods to add veteran depth at the safety position.

Xavier Woods brings nine years of NFL experience

Xavier Woods brings nine years of NFL experience to the Chicago Bears. He entered the league as a sixth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. According to reports, Woods has started 121 games over nine seasons, playing college football at Louisiana Tech University. Prior to joining the Bears, Woods spent time with the Tennessee Titans in 2025, where he played 11 games and recorded 39 tackles, with 23 being solo tackles. His veteran presence is expected to add depth to the Bears' secondary, which has been depleted due to injuries to safeties Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis. Woods signed with the Bears on August 7th, bolstering the team's defensive backfield.

August 7th
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sixth
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2017
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11
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39
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23
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Roster reshuffling continues after Flowers' IR move

The Bears placed cornerback Dallis Flowers on injured reserve as part of a corresponding transaction. According to reports, this move clears a spot for newly signed safety Xavier Woods. The transaction signals ongoing adjustments to the defensive backfield as the injury list evolves. With Flowers out, the team creates space for Woods, addressing a safety shortage after injuries to Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis. The roster reshuffling continues as the Bears adapt to early training camp setbacks, seeking to bolster their depleted secondary with veteran additions like Woods.

Veteran presence expected to accelerate readiness

Coaches have noted Xavier Woods making early impressions during training camp, according to reports. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes and proven track record are seen as assets as the team works to stabilize the secondary before the regular season. With 121 career starts under his belt, Woods' veteran presence is expected to accelerate the readiness of the Bears' defensive backfield, bringing a sense of stability to a unit that has been depleted by injuries to safeties Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Chicago Bears sign Xavier Woods?

August 7th, according to the briefing. The signing was reported as part of efforts to add veteran depth at safety after injuries depleted the secondary.

How many career starts does Xavier Woods have?

121 career starts over nine NFL seasons, per the briefing's listed figures. This reflects his extensive experience in the league.

Which team drafted Xavier Woods and in which round?

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Xavier Woods in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft, as stated in the established facts.

What was Xavier Woods' production with the Tennessee Titans in 2025?

According to low-confidence reports, Woods played 11 games for the Titans in 2025, recording 39 tackles (23 solo), the briefing notes.

Why did the Bears sign Xavier Woods?

To add experience and depth at the safety position after injuries to Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis left the secondary depleted, and following Dallis Flowers being placed on injured reserve.

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