JT

Woods

Four members of the Bears’ secondary are currently dealing with injuries and Jones’ shoulder issue was bad enough to land him on injured reserve. These secondary injuries, coupled with the loss of difference-making DT Andrew Billings, make the Bears’ defense a far more fantasy-friendly unit. The team “signed S Tarvarius Moore to the active roster and added DB JT Woods to the practice squad,” per The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, in corresponding moves.

Allen was ruled out on Friday after appearing to re-injure his hamstring in practice. C Corey Linsley (knee) is active after missing practice on Friday. Also inactive for the Chargers are TE Donald Parham (hamstring), DL Otito Ogbonnia, QB Easton Stick, RB Isaiah Spiller, and S J.T. Woods

Woods (6'2"/195) has a ton of upside with the speed and size to cover anywhere on the field. He has a complete fluid motion starting at the backpedal and comes with speed to recover even when he loses on the first cut. He led the Big 12 with six interceptions in 2021, and he’s one of those players you don’t want to throw a lazy ball around. He isn’t afraid to get physical as he loves to move up to the line and play off the press. He can sometimes be a little too free in the movements leaving him a step behind, so he needs to be more decisive on how he wants to move with his assignments. The tacking needs some work as he needs to put force into them because he can come up grasping at the ball carrier as he slashes down on him. There is a lot of potential for Woods to become a player you see every Sunday.

Woods (6'2"/193) comes away as one of the more athletic safeties as he put some great numbers at the combine. He tied for the second-fastest time amongst the second group at 4.36 and lead all safeties with a 39.5 vertical jump. He plays as a physical, downhill safety, and now with these impressive explosive numbers, he looks like a great prospect. Woods was the last one in the floor drills and the rest of the defensive backs ended the combine as they all followed Woods into the end zone.

Bears HC Matt Rhule explained that Woods broke his collarbone after picking off a pass and subsequently taking the weight of a receiver who was attempting to jar the ball loose. So far as broken bones go, the 6-foot-2, 186-pounder got off easy. Rhule told reporters that this is not expected to be a longterm issue and that the team is hopeful that Woods will be up and running around soon enough. Barring a setback, he should be good to go for August camp. We’ll see about the end of spring practice. Playing as a true freshman last season, Woods logged 18 tackles with two passes defended while appearing in all 13 of Baylor’s games.