INDIANAPOLIS – Two young Colts competing for spots had to leave Saturday night’s preseason game against the Cardinals due to injuries.
Cornerback JuJu Brents suffered a nose injury that knocked him out of the game, and tight end Jelani Woods suffered a toe injury. His return to the game was initially listed as questionable and ultimately removed from the game.
Brent’s participation in the game was a surprise at first. The 2023 second-round pick has played with the starting defense throughout training camp, and most of Indianapolis’ other starters did not play at all against Arizona.
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But Brents had to miss the season’s opening game due to a shoulder injury, and the Colts opted to have him play outside cornerback alongside Dallis Flowers. Brents made one tackle and took a pass interference penalty before the nose injury knocked him out of the game.
How does Jelani Woods’ toe injury affect his chances of making the roster?
The stakes were higher for Woods than for Brents.
Indianapolis returns all four tight ends who played last season during Woods’ absence, and the former third-round pick has spent most of his time with the second and third offensive teams in training camp, which appears to put Woods on the roster’s radar.
Colts veterans Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson did not play Saturday night, a sign that both have been added to the team, likely leaving two spots open for Woods, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory. Woods opened the game on the field, but suffered a toe injury in the first half and did not get many chances to make an impact.
Jelani Woods Statistics
Woods had 312 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 25 catches as a rookie in 2022, but missed the entire last season due to his hamstring strain.
JuJu Brent’s Stats
Brents started eight games as a rookie, recording 43 tackles, 6 passes defensed, and 1 interception. He missed six games due to a hamstring injury, and also missed some time prior to the season due to wrist and hamstring injuries.
