During the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 2 preseason victory against the Arizona Cardinals, third-year tight end Jelani Woods suffered a foot injury and had to leave the game. Following the match, head coach Shane Steichen initially believed that Woods’ injury wouldn’t sideline him for an extended period. However, recent developments reveal that Woods will now require surgery.
#Colts TE Jelani Woods is expected to have surgery this week to repair his turf toe, sources say, and he’s out indefinitely.
A rough reality for Woods, who also missed 2023 with hamstring issues. pic.twitter.com/SfMuibIRFv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 20, 2024
Jelani Woods is now dealing with a severe case of turf toe, which is unusual since turf toe typically doesn’t require surgery. Nonetheless, the team and Woods have opted for surgery as the best way to ensure a full recovery. According to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, Woods is listed as “indefinitely” out, a tough blow for any player, especially considering he missed his entire second NFL season due to persistent hamstring issues.
This situation is particularly dire for Woods, who was already struggling to secure a spot on the roster during training camp. With his future uncertain, the Colts face a decision: place Woods on season-ending injured reserve, one of the two new IR spots that allow for a potential return, or cut him from the team. While it seems likely they’ll choose one of the first two options, the final decision remains to be seen.
