XAVIER WOODS NEWS

Set to join Minnesota Woods signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Vikings on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Woods figures to step right in as the starting safety opposite Harrison Smith as part of a reconfigured Vikings secondary. The fourth-year safety piled together 70-plus tackles for the Cowboys each of the last two seasons but was a net negative when it came to pass coverage. It's perhaps telling that despite having a need at both safety spots, the Cowboys opted to bring in two new starters for their defense while jettisoning the three-year starter without so much of an offer.

MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

2021 NFL free agency news: Vikings bring Xavier Woods aboard The Patriots and Giants have been big spenders in free agency while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed their top free agents.

MARCH 27, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Vikings sign safety Xavier Woods in another move to improve their defense Minnesota, coach Mike Zimmer add fifth defensive free agent in hopes of turning around unit ranked 29th in the league last season.

MARCH 27, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Inconsistent in 2020 Woods recorded 72 tackles (48 solo) with one pass defended in 15 games during 2020.

Impact He missed a game late in the season with a rib injury, but otherwise Woods held down a starting spot in a terrible Dallas defense. The fourth-year safety topped 70 tackles for the second straight season, but he got exposed in coverage and failed to record an interception after grabbing at least one in each of his first three seasons. Woods now is headed into free agency, and new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn likely will be more interested in finding an upgrade than in bringing him back.

JANUARY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Defense figures to be focus as Cowboys miss playoffs again

The offense for the Dallas Cowboys is just waiting for several important players to return going into coach Mike McCarthy's second season

JANUARY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good to go for Week 17 Woods (ribs) is active for Sunday's game against the Giants, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Impact After being contained to limited participation during all three of the Cowboys' practice sessions this week, Woods has seemingly shown enough during pregame warmups to get the nod for his 15th appearance of the season. Having started all 14 times he's suited up so far, Woods enters the regular-season finale with 69 tackles. The 25-year-old has yet to collect his first interception of the year, after combining for five INTs between 2017 and 2019.

JANUARY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Week 17 Woods (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact The 25-year-old was limited at practice this week with the rib injury, so he appears to have a solid chance of suiting up Sunday. Reggie Robinson is next in line to start at free safety if Woods is unavailable.

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Elliott, Cowboys still have hope in star RB's rough season

Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott had a rough year marked by a positive COVID-19 test, the worst numbers of his career and a calf issue that kept him out of a game because of inj...

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Limited Wednesday Woods (ribs) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Impact Woods was sidelined in last week's game against the Eagles. His participation, albeit limited, at practice indicates he is trending in the right direction. However, Reggie Robinson would be in line to once again replace him at free safety should he end up having to sit out again.

DECEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dwayne Haskins starts for Washington despite breaking rules

Dwayne Haskins gets his second consecutive start for Washington with quarterback Alex Smith out again because of a right calf injury

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cowboys DT Woods to miss final 2 games with ankle injury

The Cowboys have placed defensive tackle Antwaun Woods on injured reserve because of an ankle injury

DECEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not expected to play Sunday Woods (ribs) is unlikely to take the field for Sunday's matchup versus Philadelphia, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Impact Woods has yet to practice this week after suffering the rib injury in Sunday's win over San Francisco, leaving his status for the crucial upcoming matchup against the Eagles in serious doubt. With Woods likely out, expect either Reggie Robinson or Darian Thompson to start in his place.

DECEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Turnaround on turnovers helps Cowboys keep faint hopes alive

The Dallas Cowboys are plus-7 in turnover margin the past two games after spending almost half the season last in the NFL in that category

DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL Today-Week 15

NFL Today-Week 15

DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Foot injury forces Patriots' Gilmore out of loss to Dolphins

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, suffered an injury to his right leg in the second quarter of a 22-12 loss to the Mia...

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dealing with rib injury Woods suffered a rib injury during Sunday's 41-33 win over the 49ers.

Impact Woods shook off a groin injury to play in Week 15, but a rib injury forced him out of the game, causing the fourth-year safety to miss his first defensive snaps of the season. If Woods is unable to play in Week 16 against the Eagles, either Reggie Robinson or Darian Thompson will start at free safety.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Pollard scores 2 with Elliott out, Cowboys beat 49ers 41-33

Tony Pollard ran for two touchdowns with Ezekiel Elliott sidelined by an injury for the first time in the two-time rushing champion’s career, and the Dallas Cowboys beat the San Fr...

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sustains chest injury Sunday Woods (chest) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the 49ers, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact After overcoming a groin issue to avoid his first 2020 game absence in Week 15, Woods has sustained an injury of another variety as Dallas finds itself protecting a narrow second-half lead. The Louisiana Tech standout has started all 43 games he has appeared in since the start of 2018, but now Reggie Robinson will be counted on for snaps at free safety until Woods makes his return to the field.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to face 49ers Woods (groin) is active for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Woods will avoid missing his first game of the season. In fact, he's played every snap on defense in 2020, ringing up 67 tackles (44 solo) and a pass breakup in the process. Woods will start at free safety Sunday.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Uncertain for Week 15 Woods (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Impact Woods was added to the injury report midweek, surfacing as a limited participant in Thursday's practice. The fourth-year safety hasn't missed a defensive snap all year, so he still stands a good chance to play Sunday. If he's held out, Darian Thompson and Reggie Robinson are both due to play more in Woods' stead.

DECEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE