Josh Woods was making a pretty standard textbook tackle on a second-and-one rush by Carolina Panthers running back Elijah Holyfield in the Bears’ preseason opener last week at Soldier Field. As he wrapped up Holyfield, his helmet hit the ball, it popped loose and teammate James Vaughters recovered it.
“I just saw the ball and I hit the ball and it popped out,” Woods said. “Good things happen when you do what you’re supposed to do.”
The big hit and forced fumble was more evidence that the 6-1, 204-pound Woods learns well. A converted safety from Maryland who made the practice squad as an undrafted free agent last season, Woods is out of the transition phase and thinking, reacting and playing like a linebacker.