A lingering hamstring issue kept Jelani Woods sidelined for the entire 2023 campaign. Sadly, he is also expected to miss this season due to a toe injury. The young Indianapolis Colts tight end can’t catch a break.
Woods has not played a regular-season game since his rookie campaign in 2022. He appeared in 15 games that year, showing flashes at times that he could one day develop into a star pass-catcher.
This year, Woods battled Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory for the Colts’ starting tight end job. Woods’ athleticism gave him the most upside of any player in the tight end room. Yet, he was inconsistent during the preseason and struggled to climb the depth chart.
The Colts hoped Jelani Woods could emerge as an offensive weapon for Anthony Richardson. The quarterback, of course, is returning to the field after missing the majority of his rookie season. But with Wood’s inability to stay healthy, it’s unclear if he’ll ever becomes the guy that Richardson needs.
Can This Colts Pass-Catcher Still Have a Solid Career?
Jelani Woods’ Career Thus Far
Jelani Woods began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. He played three seasons with the Cowboys, catching 31 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Woods then transferred to Virginia for his final season. In 2022, he was named first-team All-ACC after catching 44 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Colts selected Woods in the third round (73rd overall pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was used sparingly as a rookie, seeing just 333 snaps on offense. Yet, he did have a few highlights during the year. Woods was impressive in the Colts’ Week 3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He scored two touchdowns in that game as the Colts stunned Patrick Mahomes and Co. 20-17. Woods also had an eight-reception, 98-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. He finished his rookie year with 25 catches for 312 yards and three TDs
Two Missed Seasons Isn’t the End of the World
Missing a season is a big deal. Missing two straight seasons is a really big deal. While coming back from that will be a difficult task, it’s not impossible.
In the NBA, Joel Embiid sat out his first two seasons due to injury. The Philadelphia 76ers star eventually returned and became an MVP and a two-time scoring champ. Klay Thompson missed two seasons as well after injuring his ACL and then his Achilles. He came back and averaged over 20 points per game in back-to-back seasons. He also helped the Golden State Warriors win another NBA championship.
Sure, Jelani Woods probably isn’t a future Hall of Famer like Embiid or Thompson. But those two are proof that you can be successful after missing consecutive years.
Jelani Woods has a ton of potential. He’s an athletic 6-foot-7 pass catcher who can open the field. Plus, he’s only 25 years old. If he can somehow avoid the injury bug, Woods could turn out to have a good career in the NFL. Colts fans will keep their fingers crossed next season.
Main Image: Christine Tannous – USA Today Sports
