Jelani Woods has an opportunity to shake up the Jets’ Kenyon Sadiq plans

Let the New York Jets’ summer serve as a reminder of why we so often include “barring injury” when discussing the depth chart.

When the Jets drafted Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq this past April, the understandable assumption was that he’d share reps with second-year tight end Mason Taylor. Given Frank Reich’s emphasis on multi-tight end sets, we also expected Jeremy Ruckert to remain a pivotal part of the offense.

However, prolonged recovery from a hernia has cost Sadiq all of training camp, and he’ll miss his second straight preseason game on Friday night. It remains unclear whether the No. 16 pick will play against the Giants next weekend.

Enter veteran tight end Jelani Woods, who previously played for Reich in Indianapolis and worked his way into four games for the Jets last year. Although Sadiq carries first-round pedigree, Woods has health and familiarity on his side. 

How significantly could Jelani Woods change the New York Jets’ plans for Kenyon Sadiq?

Well, this depends on how optimistic you are about Sadiq’s chances of contributing as a rookie. He and highly touted cornerback D’Angelo Ponds (calf) have missed joint practices and will sit out Friday’s showdown with the Steelers. The presence of both Ruckert and Taylor likely means fewer targets for Sadiq when he returns to the field.

Woods has used Sadiq’s absence to his advantage, even drawing the praise of Jets coach Aaron Glenn earlier this month. We didn’t see much of him in the passing game last Friday, though, as the former Oklahoma State and Virginia standout had a 2-yard catch on two targets against the Buccaneers.

For the unfamiliar, Woods has battled numerous injuries in recent years, to the point where he didn’t play a regular-season game from January 2023 through December 2025. Lost in all of the Jets’ misery was a forgotten fourth-year tight end completing a difficult comeback.

The Jets can afford to carry four tight ends, and there is no reason to believe that Ruckert would become the odd man out when Sadiq is healthy. If anything, Woods would be the first tight end to go, ideally to the practice squad in case of further injuries. 

With Geno Smith starting Friday before giving way to Cade Klubnik, we’ll see just how many snaps Woods shares with the rookie quarterback. The duo reportedly turned heads during team drills earlier in camp. 

As of Friday, the Jets have not officially determined whether Sadiq will play against Robert Saleh and the Titans in Week 1. It is also unclear whether he’ll open the year on injured reserve or if the Jets will keep him on the 53-man roster

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