Cowboys VP believes the team has “flexibility” at the safety position
The Cowboys are waiting to hear back on safety Xavier Woods. The team is cautiously optimistic that he is not dealing with a serious injury after Sunday evening’s practice.
On Monday, VP Stephen Jones noted on 105.3 The Fan that the Cowboys have not received the full report back, but they are hopeful for the results.
“Stephen Jones on @1053thefan on Xavier Woods: I haven’t gotten the report back. We felt pretty good about it yesterday,” via RJ Ochoa on Twitter. “ He just kind of felt it a little bit. But never felt a pop and never lost strength in it.”
The Cowboys appear to have been thinking of a remediation plan, which includes the idea of moving a cornerback to safety. We have once heard reports that cornerback Chidobe Awuzie could be moved, but it appears there are more names added to the mix.
That includes fourth-round pick Reggie Robinson II and veteran Daryl Worley. Jones mentioned that the team has “flexibility” and will continue to assess their options.
“Whether that’s a Worley or a Chido. Of course we moved our rookie Robinson back there. So we’ve got some options there that we feel good about. But hopefully in particular, Xavier’s the leader of that group back there. Serves on our senior leadership council back there. Guy we hope’s going to be just fine.”
Awuzie is still nursing an injury from training camp, which brings the question of the Cowboys inquiring on either safety Earl Thomas or cornerback Logan Ryan.
If Awuzie is healthy, he seems like the most probable choice at moving. When Awuzie was drafted, an article by ProFootballTalk illustrated that Awuzie was potentially going to be converted into a safety. According to Dallas Morning News beat writer, Michael Gehlke, that switch is going to happen in the 2020 season. This was reported back in May.
“Cowboys are seriously exploring moving Chidobe Awuzie from cornerback to safety, sources said. That is one of the multiple position switches that could come on defense in 2020.”
Over the last two seasons, he has 18 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks over the course of 27 games. He did a lot of this by blitzing out of the slot/box safety spot. Just think what he can do full time.