INDIANAPOLIS – Jelani Woods’ third season with the Indianapolis Colts is following the path of his second.
The veteran tight end underwent surgery Friday to address turf toe and could be sidelined for at least four months, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Schultz Report was first to report the situation.
Woods suffered the injury in the Colts’ second preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Last week following the Colts’ joint practice with the Bengals in Cincinnati, coach Shane Steichen said the team’s 2022 third-round pick was “going to be out for a little bit. I don’t have a timetable on it, but he’s definitely going to miss some time.’’
How much time remains to be seen.
Woods missed all of 2023 with hamstring injuries.
Rosters that sit at 90 must be trimmed to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
At that time, Woods certainly will be placed on the injured reserve list and could be designated for return during the season. A best-case scenario with the four-month rehab projection might allow him to return in December.
Teams are allowed to bring eight players back from injured reserve during a season, and that includes two players who are placed on IR when rosters are cut to 53.
The Colts believe the 6-7, 253-pound Woods possesses the ability to be an all-around player at his position. That means a viable option in the passing game as well as a blocker in the run game.
As a rookie, Woods appeared in 15 games with two starts and finished with 25 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Woods’ surgery takes one tight end out of the mix as the roster cut looms.
If Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard keep four tight ends, that group likely is Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.