With safety Jaquan Brisker still in concussion protocol and running back Khalil Herbert now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chicago Bears are making roster moves to add depth.
On November 7, the Bears announced the signing of defensive back Tarvarius Moore to their active roster and added DB JT Woods to the practice squad.
These additions followed the placement of defensive lineman Andrew Billings and defensive back Jaylon Jones on the Reserve/Injured list. The Bears also traded Herbert to Cincinnati before the NFL trade deadline, receiving a future seventh-round pick in return.
On November 6, the Bears bolstered their secondary further by signing cornerback Ameer Speed to the active roster and reuniting with running back Darrynton Evans, who joined the practice squad.
Some Background on New Bears Safety JT Woods
JT Woods, a third-round pick (79th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 out of Baylor, has appeared in 13 NFL games (one start) over his two seasons. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound defensive back has logged 89 special teams snaps and 91 on defense, making a total of 8 tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted) in that span.
Woods had an impressive college career at Baylor, where he started all 14 games as a senior in 2021. That year, he led the Big 12 with six interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and also recorded 57 tackles (44 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups, earning him an honorable mention All-Big 12 nod.
While he hasn’t yet found his stride in the NFL, the Chargers experimented with him as a cornerback during the 2024 offseason, aiming to leverage his potential in man coverage. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter highlighted Woods’ versatility as a potential asset, but Woods was ultimately waived in the final roster cuts.
Afterward, Woods joined the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad on August 30, 2024, but his stint there was brief, ending with his release on October 22.
Bears Re-Sign RB Darrynton Evans After Trading Khalil Herbert
Darrynton Evans, originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans as the 93rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is returning to Chicago after prior stints with the Bears in 2022 and 2023.
Evans’ career has had its ups and downs, particularly due to injuries during his time with the Titans. In 2021, he was placed on injured reserve twice, limiting him to just one game where he logged two carries for seven yards and two catches for 11 yards. After being released by the Titans in March 2022, the Bears claimed him off waivers. That season, he played six games for Chicago, tallying 14 carries for 64 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one reception for 33 yards.
In 2023, Evans signed with the Indianapolis Colts but had a brief stay before moving to the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. He returned to the Bears in October of that year.
In 2024, as a free agent, Evans joined the Buffalo Bills, though they released him in November. Across his NFL career, Evans has accumulated 62 carries for 246 yards (4.0 yards per carry), with one rushing touchdown, along with 12 receptions for 120 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Time will tell if Evans sees the field for Chicago as the season unfolds.
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