Colts Cut DT Antwaun Woods
The Colts have released defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, per a club announcement. It’s possible that Woods could return to the roster this week after some shuffling, however. The move was effectively made to clear space for recently-promoted quarterback Brett Hundley.
Woods, 28, joined the Colts in May, just after he was released by the Cowboys. The Colts stashed him on the taxi squad to start the year, but promoted him in Week 3. To date, that’s been his only appearance for Indy.
A 32-game Cowboys starter from 2018-20, Woods was brought on for depth behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Instead, they’ll move forward with two former UDFAs — Taylor Stallworth and Chris Williams — stationed behind their starters.
Known more for his run-stopping abilities than interior pass-rushing work, Woods played 57% of the Cowboys’ snaps in 2018 and worked as a full-time starter. The former UDFA started 10 games in 2019 but saw his role reduced during a woeful Dallas defensive season in 2020.
Colts Promote DT Antwaun Woods
The Colts quickly signed Antwaun Woods after his Cowboys release in May but did not play him during the season’s first two games. The veteran defensive tackle is on track to make his Indianapolis debut in Week 3.
Woods, 28, will rise from the Colts’ practice squad to their active roster, with the team clearing a spot by placing linebacker Jordan Glasgow on IR Friday.
A 32-game Cowboys starter from 2018-20, Woods received his walking papers in new Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn‘s initial months on the job. The Colts signed Woods less than a week later but released him just before Week 1. Indy, however, gave Woods a practice squad gig shortly after.
While the Colts are set at defensive tackle, with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart entrenched as starters, Woods would be in line to provide some depth. The Colts have two former UDFAs — Taylor Stallworth and Chris Williams — stationed behind their starters presently. Known more for his run-stopping abilities than interior pass-rushing work, Woods played 57% of the Cowboys’ snaps in 2018 and worked as a full-time starter. The former UDFA started 10 games in 2019 but saw his role reduced during a woeful Dallas defensive season in 2020.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/21
We’ll keep track of the latest minor moves here:
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: C Sam Tecklenburg
Cincinnati Bengals
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Vince Biegel
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: DT Antwaun Woods
New York Giants
- Re-signed: S Nate Ebner
- Released: WR C.J. Board
- Waived with injury settlement: WR Austin Mack
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed off Broncos practice squad: CB Mac McCain
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: LB Justin March-Lillard
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: WR Penny Hart, TE Tyler Mabry
- Placed on IR: CB Tre Brown, TE Colby Parkinson, S Nigel Warrior
Colts To Sign DT Antwaun Woods
Shortly after the Cowboys made Antwaun Woods a post-draft cut, he booked a Colts visit. That meeting will lead to a deal. The Colts and Woods agreed to terms on a one-year contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Woods met with the Colts on Monday and will now be in line to provide depth for Indianapolis’ DeForest Buckner-led D-tackle crew. Woods has been a starter for multiple seasons, working as such 32 times for the Cowboys from 2018-20.
While Woods’ time in Dallas did not overlap with Colts DC Matt Eberflus‘, with the former Titans UDFA landing in Texas in 2018, the 318-pound defender will be tasked with helping Eberflus’ Indianapolis unit. Buckner and Grover Stewart serve as the Colts’ first-string defensive tackles, but versatile performer Denico Autry left in free agency. Woods, 28, has more experience than Indianapolis’ other inside rotational options.
The Colts did draft a player who profiles as an inside defender this year, or a cog that could see time at both end and tackle, in second-rounder Dayo Odeyingbo. But the 6-foot-6 Vanderbilt product suffered an Achilles tear in January and may not play until 2022. In the meantime, Woods will aim to help. He did finish outside Pro Football Focus’ top 80 interior defenders last season, but the Colts likely hold a different view of his capabilities.
Antwaun Woods Visiting Colts
The Colts are set to meet with defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). This marks Woods’ first known visit since he was released by the Cowboys last week.
The Cowboys retained Woods as a restricted free agent, but opted to cut him after adding younger (and cheaper) defensive linemen in the draft. Now, fourth-rounder Osa Odighizuwa and sixth-rounder Quinton Bohanna have a clearer path to the field in Dallas. Meanwhile, in Indy, Woods could backstop starters DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. But, odds are, there’d be only one spot available between him and reserve Taylor Stallworth.
Woods has started most of his games for Dallas over the past three years, tallying 80 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Cowboys Cut Antwaun Woods, Saivion Smith
The Cowboys are waiving starting defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). Woods was retained as a restricted free agent, but the Cowboys will shed his salary instead after drafting multiple defensive linemen. In addition, the Cowboys have also cut cornerback Saivion Smith, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter).
Woods has started 32 of his 39 games for Dallas over the past three years, compiling 80 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries. By cutting the former UDFA, the Cowboys will save $2.133MM on the books for 2021.
The veteran was a favorite of Rod Marinelli, but defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants to move the D-Line in a new direction. Now, the interior will be bolstered by UCLA fourth-rounder Osa Odighizuwa and Kentucky sixth-rounder Quinton Bohanna.
Smith, meanwhile, spent the bulk of last year on the practice squad. He’s been pushed out by the arrival of rookies Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/22/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: WR Cedrick Wilson (RFA), DL Antwaun Woods (RFA)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Bruce Hector, LB B.J. Bello, DB Chris Jones, DL Woodrow Hamilton
The first two defensive players the Titans took flyers on, Hector and Bello, both spent a little bit of time in Philadelphia with new Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Jones started three games for the Vikings last year.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/16/21
Tomorrow is the deadline for NFL teams to extend tender offers to their own restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Chiefs: G Andrew Wylie
- Colts: S George Odum
- Cowboys: DT Antwaun Woods
- Dolphins: OL Adam Pankey
- Packers: CB Chandon Sullivan, TE Robert Tonyan (second-round tender)
- Raiders: K Daniel Carlson (second-round tender)
- Texans: DT P.J. Hall, CB A.J. Moore
Non-Tendered:
- Packers: DL Tyler Lancaster
- Seahawks: LB Shaquem Griffin
- Vikings: RB Mike Boone, DL Ifeadi Odenigbo
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/21
We’ve compiled a handful of tender decisions below:
- The Cardinals are tendering linebacker Dennis Gardeck at a second-round value, which is worth around $3.38MM. The former undrafted free agent has spent his entire three-year career with Arizona, primarily appearing on special teams. However, the 26-year-old took on a bigger defensive role in 2020, finished with seven sacks in only 93 snaps. Gardeck tore his ACL late in the season, so his status for 2021 is in doubt.
- The Chargers won’t be tendering defensive end Isaac Rochell, which comes as a bit of a surprise. The 25-year-old had a solid season for Los Angeles, starting six games while compiling 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Rochell has 9.5 career sacks and 12 QB hits in 51 career games.
- The Packers have tendered wideout Malik Taylor, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). After spending much of his rookie season on Green Bay’s practice squad, Taylor managed to appear in 15 games for the Packers this past season. He ultimately hauled in five receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown. He also returned a pair of kicks and compiled three tackles.
- The Bills won’t be tendering cornerback Levi Wallace, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). However, there’s still a chance the 25-year-old lands back in Buffalo. The cornerback has started 28 games for Buffalo over the past two years, compiling four interceptions and 17 passes defended.
- The Cowboys are tendering wideout Cedrick Wilson and nose tackle Antwaun Woods. Wilson has appeared in 22 games over the past two years, compiling 25 touches for 223 yards from scrimmage. Woods has started 32 of his 39 games for Dallas over the past three years, compiling 80, four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/26/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: OL Sean Harlow, WR Chris Rowland
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Pierre Desir, QB Tyler Huntley
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: LB Clay Johnston, T Matt Kaskey
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DB Xavier Crawford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: CB Tony Brown
- Promoted: WR Trenton Irwin, LB Keandre Jones
- Waived: S Trayvon Henderson
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: C Javon Patterson
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Sewo Olonilua
- Placed on IR: DT Antwaun Woods
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB LeVante Bellamy
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: DL Brian Price, RB Dexter Williams
Houston Texans
- Promoted: Steven Mitchell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: CB Quenton Meeks, FB Bruce Miller, RB Craig Reynolds
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: CB Deandre Baker, LB Omari Cobb, WR Gehrig Dieter, OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
- Placed on IR: CB Sidney Jones
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: DT Maliek Collins
- Promoted: CB Rashaan Gaulden, LB James Onwualu, DB Javin White
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DE Joe Gaziano, TE Matt Sokol
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: OL Jamil Demby, S JuJu Hughes
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jordan Thomas
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: RB La’Mical Perine
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, LB Brady Sheldon
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: RB Jordan Howard, DT T.Y. McGill, DE Joe Ostman, TE Caleb Wilson
- Placed on IR: CB Kevon Seymour, DE Josh Sweat
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Tegray Scales, K Matthew Wright
- Waived: OL Derwin Gray
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: DL Bryan Mone
- Promoted: WR Penny Hart
- Placed on IR: G Phil Haynes
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed
Washington Football Team
- Activated from IR: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
- Promoted: QB Steven Montez
- Waived: WR Dontrelle Inman