Dallas Cowboys projected starting safety Xavier Woods is in doubt to play in the team’s regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 9 after suffering a hamstring strain in Saturday's preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.
Woods suffered the injury while tracking a deep ball near the Bengals sideline. He had an MRI on Sunday that confirmed the strain.
A sixth-round pick by the Cowboys last season, Woods played all 16 games during his rookie year and had an interception to go with 40 tackles. He has emerged as a top contender to start at free safety with last year’s starter, Byron Jones, set to move back to cornerback this season.
The Cowboys are not that deep at safety to begin with and also have other injury concerns aside from Woods. Fellow starter Jeff Heath has played through a mild ankle sprain and third safety Kavon Frazier has dealt with knee swelling. The team has already lost backup Jameill Showers for the season after he tore his ACL against the Bengals.
The Cowboys have been constantly linked to Seattle Seahawks All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas, who has held out the entire offseason and training camp as he looks for a new long-term deal. But despite the Cowboys’ interest in Thomas, they have not had conversations with the Seahawks about a Thomas trade since the draft, according to VP Stephen Jones.
It remains to be seen whether Woods’ injury will push the Cowboys into reigniting the Thomas trade talks. Regardless, they will likely need to explore their options at safety if Woods is indeed not ready to go for Week 1.
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