CLEVELAND — The start of the 2023 NFL season is still five months away, but the Cleveland Browns' depth at wide receiver has already taken a hit.
On Tuesday, the Browns confirmed that second-year wide receiver Michael Woods II suffered a ruptured Achilles, an injury that will require surgery and likely force him to miss the entirety of the 2023 season. According to CBS Sports' Josina Anderson, Woods suffered the injury while working out with quarterback Deshaun Watson in Houston.
Taking to Twitter shortly after news of the injury was first made public, Woods wrote: "Odds never define the kid!"
Selected out of Oklahoma in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 23-year-old Woods flashed plenty of promise during his first training camp with Cleveland, but saw his playing time primarily limited to special teams during his rookie season. Appearing in 10 games, the Magnolia, Texas, native tallied five catches for 45 yards, one rush for -5 yards and one tackle.
While it's unlikely Woods was going to be prominently featured in the Browns' offense in 2023, he was expected to provide depth to a unit that Cleveland is counting on improving during Watson's first full season as its starting quarterback. In addition to Woods, the Browns' wide receiving corps currently includes Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz and Marquise Goodwin.
As for the offseason impact of Woods' injury, it could improve the likelihood that Cleveland will prioritize the wide receiver position during the 2023 NFL Draft later this month. It could also improve the chances of Anthony Schwartz making the Browns' final 53-man roster following a disappointing first two seasons for the 2021 third-round pick.