FOXBOROUGH – Mike Vrabel has preached that every player on his roster needs to prepare like they’re a starter. That way, if the time comes, a backup is ready to step up for the Patriots .

That moment came for backup cornerback/special teamer Charles Woods in Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons. Woods hadn’t played on defense until Christian Gonzalez exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a head injury.

With 7:35 remaining and the Patriots clinging to a one-point lead, Woods was brought into the game.

“Go out there and do what I prepare to do every week. No matter what man I am on the depth chart, I’ve got to prepare like a starter,” Woods said. “Just for scenarios like that – if someone goes down, I have to step in, and it can’t be a big drop off.”

It was a big task for W

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