The Indianapolis Colts placed tight end Jelani Woods (toe) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday due to his recent toe surgery, according to a source. It's a tough break for Woods, who also missed all of the 2023 campaign due to hamstring issues. The 25-year-old specifically needed surgery to fix turf toe and won't be able to contribute for the Colts until 2025. The third-round pick in 2022 caught 25 of his 40 targets in his rookie season in 2022 for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts). Woods was going to have more of a shot at an elevated role in Indy in 2024, but those opportunities will now most likely fall to Kylen Granson. However, Granson isn't really on the TE radar in standard 12-team leagues among a committee approach to the position in Indy that also includes names like Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (toe) underwent successful surgery for turf toe on Friday and is expected to miss around four months, according to sources. The Colts are hopeful that Woods can return around Christmas in time for a playoff push. We already knew Woods was going to miss significant time, but now his timeline is a bit more clear. It means that fantasy managers can ignore the 25-year-old in redraft leagues, while his injury will open up more opportunities for the rest of Indy's TE committee that includes Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory. Granson, 26, figures to be the Colts' top pass-catching tight end, as evidenced by the fact that he played all five possessions with the starting offense in the preseason finale on Thursday night. Even with Woods out, Granson can be ignored in standard-sized fantasy leagues. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 43 TE in half-PPR formats.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (toe) will miss "considerable time," head coach Shane Steichen told Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. "I don't have a timetable on it," Steichen explained. Holder added that Woods' absence will extend into the regular season and could impact roster decisions. The Colts have plenty of options with Woods, including a potential injured reserve placement before or after rosters trim down in one week. None of the Colts' tight ends are appealing options in fantasy football this year, but an injury to Woods could create some additional opportunities for the team's top two players at the position, Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox. UPDATE: Woods is expected to undergo surgery on his toe, according to a source.
Jelani Woods Struggling In Camp, Not A Lock To Make Roster
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods "has yet to put together a day where he stood out" in training camp, according to Destin Adams of A to Z Sports. Woods missed all of last season due to injuries to his hamstrings, making it crucial that he use this summer's training camp and preseason to showcase himself. That hasn't happened, though, as the 25-year-old continues to drop passes and run with the second-team offense. As of now, Adams speculates that Woods is behind Moe Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory in the pecking order. Such a dynamic would certainly leave Woods on the roster bubble with less than a month until the NFL regular season kicks off.
Indianapolis Colts former third-round tight end Jelani Woods is entering a pivotal season early in his career, and his blend of size, speed and open-field ability could give the Colts offense the kind of downfield weapon that is tough to find at the position. Injuries have limited Woods early in his career. He played in 15 games (two starts) in his rookie year in 2022 and had 25 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns, but he didn't play at all in 2023 due to injuries to both of his hamstrings. The 25-year-old changed his training regimen to specifically strengthen his legs this offseason and feels much better. Head coach Shane Steichen said Woods has "been making a ton of plays" at OTAs this offseason. The Colts have a crowded TE room with Woods, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory, but if he stays healthy, Woods has the upside to be the Colts' top pass-catching TE.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) is back in action at organized team activities this week after missing all of last year due to hamstring injuries. Woods caught a pass on Wednesday from second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson while running a post route on air. The 25-year-old third round pick in 2022 out of Virginia will be competing for targets with Kylen Granson, who is in a contract year, and Drew Ogletree, but if he can stay on the field in 2024, he'll have some TE2 sleeper appeal with Richardson running the offense in Indy. In his first year in the NFL in 2022, Woods caught 25 passes on 40 targets for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts). The Colts' tight end room has been one to avoid for fantasy managers for a while, but Woods is certainly worth watching this summer.
The Athletic's James Boyd has Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods projected as the team's starting tight end in May because he remains bullish on his potential, despite the fact he was sidelined all of last year due to hamstring injuries. Woods should be healthy for organized team activities, and his next-level athleticism will mesh perfectly with head coach Shane Steichen's play-calling to create mismatches all over the field. He's also big enough to block when needed, and Kylen Granson can continue to use his speed and route-running to help move the chains. Mo Alie-Cox will remain in the mix as a seasoned veteran. While Woods should have a bigger pass-catching role if he can stay on the field, this could once again be a frustrating committee situation at TE for fantasy managers.
The Indianapolis Colts can't commit to tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) being able to return this season. Woods has had multiple hamstring injuries since training camp and hasn't appeared in a game in 2023. The 25-year-old caught 25 passes on 40 targets for 312 yards and three touchdowns as part of a committee approach at tight end in Indy in his rookie campaign, but he hasn't been able to contribute at all this year because of his hamstring injuries. Without Woods in the fold, the Colts continue to employ a committee approach among Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory. Granson probably has the most upside of the bunch, but fantasy managers should be avoiding this TE situation at all costs.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) had a setback with his other hamstring, and the team is unsure if he will play this season. Woods was making progress with his hamstring injury at the end of October but apparently had a setback since then and now may not play at all in 2023. The 25-year-old was placed on Injured Reserve before the Week 1 season opener. The Colts will roll on with Kylen Granson as their primary tight end in a crowded room that also includes Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory. Fantasy managers in standard-sized leagues have no business messing with the Colts' tight end situation. Woods, a third-round pick in 2022, had 25 catches (40 targets) for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts) in his rookie campaign.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) is "getting closer" to making his return from Injured Reserve. The 25-year-old second-year tight end has been on Injured Reserve all year, but he could be close to returning to practice and having his three-week window opened to return from IR. Woods isn't worth stashing in most fantasy leagues, as he'll return to a crowded tight end room in Indianapolis when he's healthy. The Colts also have Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory. Woods caught 25 of his 40 targets in his rookie year in 2022 for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts).
Jelani Woods
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Colts
