The Indianapolis Colts will be without tight end Jelani Woods for most of the season due to a recent surgery.
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NFL insider Jordan Schultz announced that Woods successfully underwent surgery on Friday for turf toe and is expected to be sidelined for approximately four months. He shared this update via Twitter/X.
Sources: #Colts TE Jelani Woods underwent successful surgery today for turf toe and will miss about four months. The team is hopeful that Woods can return around Christmas in time for a playoff push. pic.twitter.com/v3a2u3QIbs
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 23, 2024
It’s anticipated that Woods will be ready to return around Christmas, which would align with the final weeks of the regular season. This isn’t Woods’ first injury setback; he missed all of last season due to a hamstring issue.
In his absence, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory are set to step up and handle tight end responsibilities.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Colts head coach Shane Steichen expressed enthusiasm about having Woods back on the field, having finally seen him in action. However, he acknowledged that Woods would need some time before returning to play.
“He’s going to be out for a little bit,” said Steichen. “I don’t have a timetable on it, but he’s going to miss some time.”
While Steichen has been impressed by Woods’ potential, reports suggest he’s struggled with consistency during training camp. Thanks to new NFL injured reserve rules, the Colts won’t need to place Woods on the initial 53-man roster, which allows flexibility for his return.
The Colts selected Woods in the 2022 NFL Draft, choosing him in the third round with the 73rd overall pick. In his rookie year, he made a notable impact with 25 receptions on 40 targets, totaling 312 yards and three touchdowns over 15 games.
The last time Woods played was in 2022, raising concerns about the possibility of another full-season absence.
Prior to joining the Colts, Woods played college football at Oklahoma State and Virginia. He tallied 75 catches for 959 yards and 12 touchdowns during his college career. His standout season at Virginia saw him notch 44 receptions and eight touchdowns, earning him a spot on the first-team All-ACC.
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