Al Woods (calf) ruled out, Connor McGovern, Schweitzer also out

Al Woods (calf) ruled out, Connor McGovern (knee) doubtful to return

Two more Jets have gone down with an injury and one has already been ruled out as if this writing at about halfway through the second quarter.

Defensive tackle Al Woods left the game with what was ruled a calf injury and has already been ruled out. Center Connor McGovern is also currently out with a knee injury and is considered doubtful to return.

Woods’ absence means the Jets have just three true defensive tackles in Quinnen Williams, Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas. Micheal Clemons and John Frnaklin-Myers can also play inside if needed.

As for the offensive line, Wes Schweitzer, who started at right guard for the injured Joe Tippmann, was in at center and practice-squad elevation Xavier Newman is in at right guard. Not long after, Schweitzer went down with an undisclosed injury as of this writing. The Jets have no more backup interior offensive linemen so they may have to get creative.

They may move Newman to center and perhaps Billy Turner to guard. We’ll see what happens.

Update: McGovern has been ruled out as well. Newman is now at center and and Turner is at right guard.

Jets announce inactives for Week 4 including DT Al Woods

Al Woods among the inactives Sunday night.

The Jets have announced their inactives for Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs and there is a bit of a surprise among them in defensive tackle Al Woods.

Woods is inactive for the first time this season. That leaves the Jets with just three true defensive tackles: Quinnen Williams, Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas.

Of course, the Jets can always move players such as John Franklin-Myers and Micheal Clemons inside, giving them some flexibility along the defensive line even without Woods.

Woods has one sack and five tackles through three games, but he is out for this one. The rest of the inactives are those that have either been inactive all season or are out due to injury.

New York Jets inactives

WR Jason Brownlee

S Tony Adams

RB Israel Abanikanda

LB Zaire Barnes

OL Wes Schweitzer

DL Al Woods

Kansas City Chiefs inactives

LB Nick Bolton

CB Jaylen Watson

DE CJ Thompson

OL Mike Caliendo

DT Neil Farrell

DT Keondre Coburn

NFL Free Agency: Where each departing Seahawks player signed in 2023

Here is where all 14 Seahawks free agents who signed with other teams ended up.

14 players who were on the Seahawks roster last season remain free agents as NFL teams head towards mandatory minicamp. About the same number of Seattle’s free agents this year have managed to find new teams, though.

Here is where the Seahawks’ 14 free agents who signed with other teams ended up.

Jets signing former Seahawks DT Al Woods

Now Woods joins an already elite Jets defense, as well as newly acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The unfortunate reality of every NFL offseason is watching former beloved players moving on from teams to join new ones. Such is the case with the 12th Man and the Seattle Seahawks, who will have to watch defensive tackle Al Woods on another squad for the 2023 season.

On Wednesday it was reported that Woods will become a member of Gang Green, as he has signed with the New York Jets.

Much was written about how the Seahawks’ defensive line was their ultimate liability, but not enough was said about how it was absolutely not the fault of Woods. He played as well as anyone, and was often the reason Seattle could muster any kind of resistance up front.

Woods was a beloved locker room influence, as noted by receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, who openly wanted him to return. There was always a hope he would find his way back to the Seahawks, but apparently it was not meant to be.

Now Woods joins an already elite Jets defense, as well as newly acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Jets sign defensive tackle Al Woods

Jets sign defensive tackle Al Woods

The Jets have added another veteran piece on the defensive line to roll with Quinnen Williams. The team signed defensive tackle Al Woods, per Connor Hughes of SNY.

Woods, 36 years old, has played 12 seasons in the NFL — he opted out of the 2020 season. The Jets will be Woods’ sixth team he has played for in his career. He has had stops with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Steelers, Titans and Colts.

Last season, Woods played 14 games and recorded two sacks and 39 total tackles. He has 293 career tackles in 12 seasons and 155 games played.

Woods is the second veteran defensive tackle signed this offseason by the Jets and also the second one that spent 2022 in Seattle with the team also adding Quinton Jefferson. Woods will add plenty of size — six-foot-four, 330 pounds — to the middle of the defensive line and add a run-stuffing piece to the defense.

With the compensatory period of free agency ending and the Jets not adding an interior tackle in the draft, another veteran option was certainly a possibility. Now the Jets have some depth behind Williams with Woods, Jefferson and Solomon Thomas. John Franklin-Myers and Micheal Clemons can also kick inside.

Jets sign Browns’ DT target Al Woods

The Browns are down another defensive tackle target.

The Cleveland Browns brought in veteran defensive tackle Al Woods for a visit before the 2023 NFL draft. And even after selecting the big Baylor interior defender Siaki Ika in the third round, they could still be in a position to add another veteran still on the market in NFL free agency. Woods, however, will not be one of them as he has signed with the New York Jets.

There are, however, names to be pleased with in free agency despite the loss of Woods. A couple of those names include Matt Ioannidis and Shelby Harris. Will the Browns be content with adding Ika, or will they still look for another piece in free agency?

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[stnvideo key=”BuIu1n8G” type=”player”]

2023 NFL draft: Seahawks meeting with Illinois DT Calvin Avery today

Avery is more of a traditional nose tackle, which fits what the team needs after they released Al Woods.

The Seahawks will be hosting the best player in the 2023 NFL draft today when Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter comes to visit. Carter is the most popular mock draft pick for Seattle and their No. 5 overall selection in the draft. However, Carter is far from the only interior defensive line prospect this team has their eyes on.

According to Aaron Wilson, Seattle is hosting Illinois DT Calvin Avery today, as well. Avery is more of a traditional nose tackle, which fits what the team needs after they released Al Woods.

Avery has size and power to spare. At his pro day he checked in at 6-foot-1, 345 pounds, posting 31 bench press reps and an almost 82″ wingspan.

During his 39 games at Illinois, he posted 2.5 sacks and seven tackles for a loss. Here’s a look at Avery giving fits to the 2023 NFL draft’s top-ranked center, Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz.

What the Seahawks need at this spot most of all is the ability to plug the gushing hole in their run defese. Here’s a clip of Avery stuffing the run against Northwestern.

Avery can do more than just stop the run, though. Here he is blowing past Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann and pressuring the quarterback.

Avery is projected as an UDFA.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

DT Al Woods leaves Cleveland without contract after visit

The Browns hosted the veteran defensive tackle, but no deal has been struck at this point.

Even after signing three defensive tackles in NFL free agency thus far, the Cleveland Browns are still active in search of another veteran. This led to them hosting sturdy veteran Al Woods for a visit on Tuesday. However, according to Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the two sides have not discussed a deal at this time.

According to Cabot, the Browns are “not sure yet if they’ll sign him.” There are still plenty of under-the-radar free agents left on the market, including another sturdy veteran defensive tackle in A’Shawn Robinson. With the 2023 NFL Draft approaching, expect the Browns to make another move along their defensive interior one way or the other.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

[stnvideo key=”BuIu1n8G” type=”player”]

DK Metcalf wants Seahawks to bring free agent DT Al Woods back

Free safety and head recruiter Quandre Diggs has retweeted the message.

The NFL isn’t a popularity contest. That said, former Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods is undeniably popular both with fans and players. While cutting Woods saved a decent chunk of cap room and he’s now 36 years old, more than a few folks are not happy with the move – including some of Woods’ former teammates.

Earlier today star wide receiver DK Metcalf shared an Office GIF reacting to NFL Network’s report that Woods is visiting with the Jets and Browns this week. Metcalf tagged the Seahawks, making it clear he wants Woods back.

Free safety and head recruiter Quandre Diggs has retweeted the message. Wide receiver Tyler Lockett has also openly shared his disappointment when Woods was released.

Analysts have also given the move bad reviews. Pro Football Focus named Seattle cutting Woods their least favorite move in free agency for the Seahawks.

For what it’s worth, general manager John Schneider says the team hasn’t shut the door on re-signing Woods.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1360]

 

Free agent DT Al Woods has visits scheduled with Browns and Jets

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods, who is now a free agent, has visits scheduled this week with the Browns and the Jets.

The Seattle Seahawks have already made some major changes to their defensive line this offseason, including releasing veteran defensive tackle Al Woods earlier this spring.

Things appear to be looking up for Woods, however, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the free agent has a couple of visits lined up this week – one with the Browns and one with the Jets.

Woods spent three stints in Seattle and the Seahawks haven’t ruled out yet another reunion for this year.

“Al’s situation was really cash and cap,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider had said of Woods’ release. “Everybody has a cash budget in the NFL that you need to work within, and every team is probably slightly different . . . So there’s a ton of different accounting mechanisms that go into this thing, and we just felt that at this time while we wouldn’t shut the door on Al coming back, we needed to create some space to try to get something done.

“We’re still working through some of those issues in how we can use that cap room and the cash effectively.”

Hopefully the Seahawks are able to sort those issues out before Woods becomes a Brown or a Jet.

[lawrence-related id=103221]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbycpfe4qgv9nf6 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]