Jelani Woods
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 28: Jelani Woods #80 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts are making notable roster moves ahead of the NFL’s 53-man cutdown deadline.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team is releasing tight end Jelani Woods, a former third-round pick whose intriguing skill set was ultimately derailed by injuries. In a separate move, Indianapolis is placing rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies on Injured Reserve with a designation to return.
The decisions continue a series of adjustments as the Colts shape their roster for the 2025-26 season. And while neither move comes as a total shock, both have ripple effects on two position groups that remain in transition.
The End of the Woods Experiment
When the Colts drafted Woods in the 2022 NFL Draft, they believed they were landing one of the league’s most unique tight end prospects. At 6-foot-7 and 253 pounds, Woods had the size of a classic “Y” tight end but the speed (4.61-second 40-yard dash) of a wide receiver. The hope was that he could become a matchup nightmare in the offense.
The flashes were there early in his rookie season. He hauled in 25 receptions on 40 targets for 312 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 20.8 yards per game.
But availability quickly became the defining issue. After suiting up for 15 games as a rookie, Woods missed the entirety of the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to a series of hamstring setbacks and a season-ending toe injury. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, the Colts couldn’t justify a roster spot for a player who had not seen the field in nearly two years.
Now on the open market, Woods will look to revive his career elsewhere. His size-speed profile remains rare, and in the right system — with better injury luck — he could still surface as a valuable red-zone option. But in Indianapolis, it just wasn’t meant to be.
The State of the Colts Tight End Room
Woods’ release clarifies the Colts’ tight end picture heading into Week 1. Rookie Tyler Warren, a versatile piece who impressed throughout camp, is expected to lead the group. Veteran Mo Alie-Cox brings blocking experience and red-zone savvy, while Andrew Ogletree and Will Mallory round out the depth.
The Colts carried four tight ends on their active roster last season, and it would not be surprising if they did so again. While none of the remaining players possesses Woods’ physical ceiling, the room now has more availability and stability — something the team has lacked at the position in recent years.
For quarterback Anthony Richardson, having reliable options at tight end is crucial. The second-year QB is expected to take a major leap in 2025, and a steady group of targets in the middle of the field should help balance an offense still centered on Jonathan Taylor’s rushing attack and Michael Pittman Jr.’s playmaking ability.