During the Indianapolis Colts Week 2 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals, third-year tight end Jelani Woods left with a foot injury.
After the game, head coach Shane Steichen said the team didn't think Woods' injury would keep him off the field for very long.
But it seems they were wrong, with the news coming out today that Woods is now set to have surgery.
We now know Woods is suffering from turf toe. It seems to be a pretty severe case because turf toe typically doesn't require surgery. However, the team and/or Woods must believe surgery is the best path forward as he tries to regain 100%.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapport, he is now being listed out "indefinitely," which is less than ideal for any player. But for Woods, this seems extra devasting. He was forced to miss his entire second NFL season with lingering hamstring injuries and could very well miss a second consecutive season.
Woods already seemed behind in the ongoing roster battles at TE during training camp. Many even began to question if he would make the roster at all. Now the Colts will have to decide whether they hold Woods on either the season-ending injury reserve, one of the NFL's two new IR spots that can be designated for return, or part ways with the young TE altogether. I lean towards one of the first two options, but we will have to wait and see which route the Colts take.
