Jelani Woods shares mindset after two lost seasons

It’s been two years since Colts tight end Jelani Woods last played a meaningful snap in a football game. 

Injuries kept Woods out of consideration for the Colts, who shared that getting through training camp healthy is his top priority.

On top of that, he also wants to prove that he can still be a valuable asset, despite the lost time. 

“Missing two years, (I) just kind of trying to just prove that I still got it, I can produce, I can be used as whatever they want me to do,” he said. 

Woods had a promising rookie season in 2022, in which he recorded 25 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns. With two seasons of no games since, he’s found himself playing a game of catch up. 

On the Colts unofficial depth chart released on Monday, Woods is listed as the fifth tight end, behind rookie Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory. 

Still, the former second-round pick knows he can still contribute in whatever aspect the team needs. 

“Whatever they ask me to do, just do it to the best of my ability.”

That selfless attitude typically is effective enough for a player to carve out some sort of role for themselves, albeit usually a smaller one. 

Woods certainly hasn’t lived up to the Colts expectations of him thus far. That said, he can still be a useful asset going forward, even if it’s not every Sunday.