Promising Colts Player on the Road to Returning

“Steichen says Jelani Woods (hamstring) is getting closer to practice," Bowen wrote on X. "Woods has been on IR to start the season.”

After missing most of the off-season practices and camps, Woods is eyeing a return to the field after being on Injured Reserve for all seven contests this year so far. To see what Woods is capable of, one would need to jump back to 2022, when he was a rookie.

Playing in 15 games, he would grab 25 catches (40 targets) for 312 receiving yards and three receiving TDs. While these aren’t eye-popping numbers, it should be added that Woods was a product of one of the worst offensive years Indianapolis has seen as a franchise in recent memory.

With an offensive mind like Steichen now able to use Woods properly, it could be a massive help for the second-year tight end in reaching his full potential. Standing at a massive 6’7” and weighing north of 250 pounds, Woods is a red zone threat and can also run far faster than any defender would assume, given his size.

The hope for the Colts is that Woods is closer to a return than not. While it’s fair to say that tight ends Drew Ogletree, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, and Will Mallory have played well as a unit, it could also be true that none possess the raw abilities that Woods does. His return would only further amplify this already talented group for Steichen’s offense.