Add The New York Post on Google For the past two years, Jelani Woods has been robbed by injuries and betrayed by his body.
But now, finally healthy again, the tight end is making a comeback with the Jets. Woods’ surprising play in training camp — including the game’s only touchdown Friday — could see him force his way from afterthought to roster spot.
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“It’s been pretty exciting just to get back on the field, honestly,” said Woods. “I’d never complain about being on the field, every day getting a new opportunity to take the next step forward, to get better. And I feel like I’m doing that, and I just want to keep it up.
“I’m not really surprised. I try to put my best foot forward whatever they ask me to do, try to contribute maximum effort. Whatever they decide, that’s how I roll. I don’t have any say-so on what’s going on or anything, but I just try to work hard and give the best impression of what I can do.”
NFL teams almost never carry four tight ends, and Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert sit atop Gang Green’s depth chart. Considering Woods’ recent history, he was a long shot to make the Jets buck that trend.
Jelani Woods speaks with the media before Jets practice on Aug. 24, 2026. Bill Kostroun for NY Post Impressive athletic testing saw Woods get drafted in the 2022 third round and have a solid rookie campaign for Indianapolis. But he’s appeared in just four games over the past three seasons combined.
First, a hamstring strain sidelined him for a year, and then turf toe cost him another. Rehabs, practice squads and disappointments.
That is, until landing with the Jets and reuniting with offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who was the Colts head coach when Woods caught 25 passes for 312 yards and three scores as a rookie.
Reich clearly has confidence in Woods, and when the tight end had his number called Saturday against the Steelers, he repaid that faith.
“You never know whether the ball’s going to come to you or not. But just make the play when they do, when your number’s called,” said Woods. “It gives you a lot of confidence. You want to be on the field, and just doing my part to be on the field, putting my best foot forward. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m gonna do. Don’t give [them] a reason not to, that’s my motto, how I’ve been going about this.
“Absolutely, just going through all the things I’ve gone through the past couple of years and then you get in the end zone and feel that, I would say that gratification [with] how things have been going, it’s definitely exciting.”
Woods capped a crisp opening drive against Pittsburgh, snaring a 13-yard touchdown from Geno Smith.
“Yeah, it was good to see,” said Jets coach Aaron Glenn. “And somebody that’s dealt with a ton of injuries, someone that he just fights all the time. He’s a guy that plays special teams for us, and we have him go out there and do the dirty work. For him to get that touchdown, that was good to see.”
Jelani Woods catches a touchdown pass during the Jets-Steelers preseason game on Aug. 21, 2026. AP Photo/Justin Berl It was Woods’ first since Oct. 16, 2022, during his rookie season.
“That was a long minute ago,” said Woods.
A whole lot of minutes — 1,406 days, to be exact.
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“Definitely talking to family, friends, everybody’s excited to see me back on the field and playing,” said Woods. “So, it was definitely special for my family. It was a big deal.”
Could it lead to something bigger: making the final 53-man roster?
A solid Friday finale vs. the Giants would help.
With starting tight end Sadiq out following a hernia surgery setback, Woods has posted 70.2 and 67.4 pass-blocking grades through two preseason tilts, per Pro Football Focus. He provides a big frame (6-foot-7, 253 pounds, 83-inch wingspan) and a preexisting relationship with Reich.
“He’s always going to put us in the best situations, and he’s a great play-caller,” said Woods. “So, definitely it mesmerizes you when you see the success and you see the brilliance that he has.”
