The Steelers released Woods from their practice squad Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Woods is 33 years old and has no desire to be on a team's practice squad, and he only wants to play if he's on a 53-man roster, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Woods spent the summer in Pittsburgh but was unable to crack to the Steelers' Week 1 roster.

The Steelers signed Woods to the practice squad Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Woods couldn't make Pittsburgh's initial 53-man roster after spending the offseason with the team, but he'll remain present as an emergency depth option at wide receiver on the practice squad. The Steelers are thin at wideout behind DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen), so Woods' path to suiting up for regular-season action is clearer than the average practice-squad player,

The Steelers are releasing Woods, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The door is open for a possible return to the team after the 53-man roster is finalized if he doesn't get a better offer, but Woods plans to play in 2025 regardless. For now it looks like the Steelers' WR3 job behind DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen) remains up for grabs, with 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson and veteran Scotty Miller the top options.

Woods wasn't targeted during Saturday's 17-14 preseason loss to the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

Although Woods has been on the field for both of Pittsburgh's preseason games so far, he hasn't been targeted in either matchup. The 33-year-old didn't generate much production in Houston over the past two seasons, and he now appears to be in danger of missing out on a 53-man roster spot with the Steelers ahead of the 2025 campaign. Woods will have one more opportunity to make his case for a roster spot during Thursday's exhibition matchup against Carolina.

Woods has improved odds for a starting job after the Steelers traded WR George Pickens to Dallas on Wednesday, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even if the 33-year-old ends up starting, it'd likely be in a similar role to what we saw last season from Van Jefferson, who got 40 targets on 721 offensive snaps while starting 12 of 17 regular-season games. While he had some prolific seasons earlier in his career, Woods mostly is valued for blocking and leadership at this point, having averaged 31 receiving yards per game or less in three straight seasons since leaving the Rams. As things currently stand, his main competition for snaps behind DK Metcalf would be 162-pound slot man Calvin Austin and 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson.

The Steelers plan to sign Woods, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Woods is coming off a 2024 regular season in which he recorded 20 catches (on 30 targets) for 203 yards and zero touchdowns in 15 contests for the Texans. With the Steelers, the 33-year-old will add experience and depth to a wideout corps currently led by DK Metcalf and George Pickens, with Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson, among others, also in the mix for targets.

Woods was not targeted and did not attempt a punt return in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Woods battled a hip injury all week but was deemed available, though he may not have been 100 percent. The 32-year-old wideout was on the field for just six offensive snaps and twice while on special teams. Woods spent much of the regular season as a depth receiver and only recently was elevated to the top three after season-ending injuries to Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). Woods finished the regular season with 20 catches on 30 targets for 203 yards and zero touchdowns, the lowest productivity across his 12 NFL seasons. Woods enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Woods (hip) is active for Saturday's divisional-round game at Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

Woods was held out of practice all week due to a hip injury, but it won't stop him from being available for the Texans' second playoff outing. In three contests since Tank Dell (torn ACL) joined Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) as out for the season, Woods has hauled in exactly two passes in each of the last three games for a 6-82-0 line on nine targets.

Woods (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Woods was listed as a non-participant in practice Tuesday through Thursday, which clouds his status for the Texans' 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. If Woods is unavailable versus Kansas City, added snaps would be available for John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson behind top wideout Nico Collins.

Woods (hip) didn't practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

With back-to-back 'DNPs' Tuesday and Wednesday in the books, Thursday's session should loom large with regard to Woods' chances of playing in Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs. If the veteran wideout is limited or out this weekend, added snaps behind top option Nico Collins would be freed up for John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson.