INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts’ process of trimming the roster includes a pair of higher-profile players.
The team will place Jaylon Carlies on the injured reserve list with a designation to return and waive tight end Jelani Woods as part of its cut to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. IndyStar’s Joel A. Erickson was the first to report the moves.
Carlies, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, was expected to be a starting linebacker alongside Zaire Franklin. However, he missed a good portion of training camp with an ankle injury.
Carlies appeared in 10 games with six starts as a rookie. He finished with 36 tackles, 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss.
With the designation to return, Carlies must miss at least the first four games of the season.
Woods’ release doesn’t come as a major surprise and ends his second attempt at a comeback from a season-ending injury.
The 2022 third-round pick showed promise as a rookie with 25 receptions for 312 yards and three TDs. But he missed 2023 with a hamstring injury and last season after undergoing toe surgery.
In three preseason games, Woods had seven catches for 75 yards.
With Woods gone, the Colts are expected to go into the season with a tight ends room of rookie Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory