The Chicago Bears secondary has been taking a huge beating during training camp, and the team wasted little time trying to patch up all the holes.
Chicago announced on August 7th that they have signed safety Xavier Woods and placed defensive back Dallis Flowers on Reserve/Injured. The move comes on the heels of a scary injury to newly signed safety Coby Bryant, whose availability for the start of the regular season is very much in question.
Bears Sign Safety Xavier Woods Amid Coby Bryant Injury
To help cover a massive hole at safety, the Bears turned to somewhat a familar face signing Xavier Woods, who played under Bears’ defensive backs coach Al Harris in Dallas.
Woods, a nine-year veteran, spent time with the Cowboys, Vikings, Panthers, and most recently, the Titans in 2025. He’s coming off an injury-shortened season in Tennessee, but his track record speaks for itself. Over his career he’s racked up 15 interceptions and 50 pass breakups in 121 career starts.
His best season came in 2024 with the Panthers, where he started all 17 games and posted 119 total tackles and three interceptions, proving he can still handle a full workload at a high level.
Even if Woods isn’t on the same level as Bryant, his combination of experience and familiarity with Al Harris will be huge.
Coby Bryant’s Return Timeline Uncertain With Latest Comments by Ben Johnson
GettyLAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – JUNE 10: Coby Bryant #2 of the Chicago Bears speaks to media after Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall on June 10, 2026 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Initially, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that Bryant would miss around 8-10 weeks due to a hyperextended knee, bone bruise, and a small fracture that he suffered during practice on August 3rd.
However, head coach Ben Johnson told the media on August 6th that they are still in the “gathering info stage” with Bryant’s injury and recovery timeline. “I don’t know where you guys got [8-10 week timeline]. Hasn’t been said here.”
Bryant had this to say after sustaining his unfortunate injury:
“Thank you for all the prayers & love! God makes no mistakes & I’ll be back stronger. Can’t wait to be back out there with my brothers & have a great season ! Much love & 
Bryant isn’t the only injury the Bears are dealing with in the secondary either. The Bears lost Flowers, who they already put on IR, due to an undisclosed injury that occurred on August 6th, when he had to be helped off the field, and safety Gervarrius Owens who was carted off the field on the same day.
Not to mention corner Terell Smith going down with an injury during practice on August 3rd.
The Bears are also dealing with Kyler Gordon, who hasn’t practiced all offseason where he’s not even recovering from any major surgery.
“There is no update,” Johnson said regarding Gordon. “He’s continuing to rehab.”
He’ll need to come back to the practice field ASAP and gain the trust of the Bears’ coaching staff, because Gordon has only appeared in three regular-season games last season.
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