Bears Face 3-DB Injury Crunch as 31-Year-Old Xavier Woods Pushes for Week 1 Role
Updated
Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 9
Bears Face 3-DB Injury Crunch as 31-Year-Old Xavier Woods Pushes for Week 1 Role
2 articles · Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 9
Summary
Three defensive backs — Cam Lewis, Terell Smith and Jaylon Jones — were out again Sunday, deepening Chicago’s secondary shortage as Coby Bryant is projected out until October and Kyler Gordon’s injury issues persist.
Xavier Woods, 31, signed Friday and produced two interceptions Sunday, quickly emerging as a possible Week 1 starter because the Bears have run through backup plans at both safety and nickel.
The injuries have exposed a broader roster imbalance: Ryan Poles’ rebuild has stocked the offense with alternatives, but the defense lacks proven depth and also enters camp without a reliable pass rush to ease pressure on the secondary.
Dennis Allen managed similar patchwork last season, yet that defense still allowed the NFL’s fourth-most yards and 10th-most points despite leading the league in takeaways — a warning for how fragile this group could be in the regular season.