Former SMU cornerback Charles Woods records 10 tackles and a pass breakup as New England shuts down Pittsburgh in a dominant 20-3 victory.
Charles Woods spent most of his first two NFL seasons fighting for snaps. On Sunday, the former SMU cornerback looked like a player ready for a much larger role.
Woods recorded 10 tackles, including eight solo stops, and broke up a pass as the New England Patriots smothered the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3 at Gillette Stadium.
It was easily the most productive regular-season game of Woods’ NFL career and one of the strongest performances by a former SMU player in Week 2.
The timing matters.
Woods had just one tackle in New England’s season-opening loss at Seattle, but his workload and production exploded against Pittsburgh.
He was active around the football throughout the afternoon as the Patriots’ defense controlled the game and held the Steelers to only three points.
For Woods, it was another step in a career built on surviving roster battles.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024. He bounced between the active roster and the practice squad before New England claimed him off waivers in August 2025.
Last season, Woods played in 15 games for the Patriots as a reserve cornerback and special-teams contributor, finishing with eight defensive tackles and one pass breakup while also appearing in all four postseason games.
Sunday alone nearly matched his entire 2025 defensive tackle total.
That’s a meaningful jump for a player who entered 2026 behind veterans Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones on New England’s depth chart.
Woods made the initial 53-man roster after competing throughout training camp for one of the final cornerback spots, with the Patriots citing his 2025 contributions on defense and special teams as part of his value.
SMU fans know Woods’ path well.
He spent the 2023 season with the Mustangs after previous stops at West Virginia and Illinois State. Across his FBS career, Woods accumulated 65 tackles, 15 passes defended, two interceptions, three tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
His lone season at SMU came during the program’s 11-3 campaign that ended with an undefeated conference record and a championship.
Now he’s carving out his place in New England.
One big game doesn’t guarantee a permanent starting role, but 10 tackles and a pass breakup will get attention.
For Woods, Sunday wasn’t just a good afternoon.
It was evidence that the former Mustang may be moving from depth piece to legitimate defensive contributor.
