5 Key Takeaways On Michael Woods II’s Cleveland Browns Exit And His New Free Agent Status

The Cleveland Browns have officially closed the chapter on wide receiver Michael Woods II, a move that became final following a crucial injury settlement. This transaction, which occurred after Woods suffered a broken hand early in training camp, makes the former sixth-round pick an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to sign with any team once he is medically cleared. As of today, December 16, 2025, the focus shifts from his time in Cleveland to his next opportunity in the National Football League (NFL).

The decision to waive Woods with an injury designation and eventually release him from injured reserve (IR) via an injury settlement was a business-minded roster move for the Browns, who are looking to finalize their 53-man roster. Woods, who showed flashes of potential but struggled with consistency and injury, now enters the open market. This article breaks down his complete career profile and the significant implications of his release for both the player and the Browns' wide receiver depth chart.

Michael Woods II: Full Biographical Profile and Career Snapshot

Michael Woods II’s journey to the NFL was marked by a successful college career split between two major programs and a selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. His professional career, however, has been frequently interrupted by injury setbacks.

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• Full Name: Michael Woods II
• Born: March 19, 2000
• Age: 25 (as of December 2025)
• Hometown: Magnolia, Texas
• Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
• Weight: 204 lbs (93 kg)
• College Career: Arkansas Razorbacks (2018–2020) and Oklahoma Sooners (2021)
• NFL Draft: 2022, Round 6, Pick 202 (Selected by the Cleveland Browns)
• NFL Career Games: 17 (all with the Cleveland Browns)
• Career Stats: 12 Receptions, 110 Receiving Yards, 0 Touchdowns
• Current Status: Unrestricted Free Agent (following injury settlement)

The Critical Reason for the Waiver: Injury Settlement Explained

The transaction that ended Michael Woods II's tenure with the Cleveland Browns was a multi-step process that began with an unfortunate injury on the first day of training camp.

The Training Camp Injury and Initial Roster Move

Woods was sidelined almost immediately in the preseason after suffering a broken hand. This injury prompted the Browns to waive him with an injury designation. When a player is waived with an injury designation, they are subject to the NFL waiver wire. If they go unclaimed by other teams, they revert to the original team’s Injured Reserve (IR) list.

Woods cleared waivers and was officially placed on the Browns' Injured Reserve list. Placement on IR typically means a player must miss the entirety of the regular season unless they are one of the limited players designated to return, or if they are released via an injury settlement.

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The Final Step: Waived from IR with an Injury Settlement

The final and most significant roster move was when the Browns waived Woods from Injured Reserve after reaching an injury settlement. An injury settlement is a mechanism used by NFL teams to remove a player from the IR list and their payroll while compensating them for the time they are expected to miss due to the injury.

In Woods' case, the settlement compensated him for the duration of his recovery from the broken hand. Once the settlement is reached and the player is released, they become an unrestricted free agent. Crucially, they cannot re-sign with the team that released them until a specific period of time has passed (usually the length of the settlement plus three weeks). This maneuver cleared a roster spot and freed up Woods to seek employment with another team immediately upon being healthy.

Impact on the Browns and Woods’ Future NFL Prospects

Michael Woods II's departure, while unfortunate, has immediate implications for the Cleveland Browns' wide receiver depth chart and opens a new door for the young player's career. The Browns are focused on maximizing their roster space for players who can contribute immediately, especially given the fierce competition in their wide receiver room.

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The Crowded Browns Wide Receiver Room

Woods' release officially solidifies the depth chart for the Browns, which is now headlined by established veterans and high-potential young players. The primary receiving targets include stars like Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore, alongside promising talents such as Cedric Tillman and David Bell. Woods was facing an uphill battle for a roster spot, even before the hand injury, as the team had invested significant draft capital and resources into the position.

The Browns’ decision was less about Woods’ long-term potential and more about the immediate need for healthy, contributing players. The roster move allows the team to allocate his spot to a player who can participate in practice and potentially contribute to the active roster during the regular season.

What’s Next for Michael Woods II?

As an unrestricted free agent, Michael Woods II is now free to sign with any of the 31 other NFL teams. This is a significant advantage over simply remaining on the Browns’ Injured Reserve, which would have kept him tied to the team for the entire season without active play.

His next destination will likely be a team looking for a developmental wide receiver with NFL experience and solid college pedigree. Woods’ background, which includes playing at both Arkansas and Oklahoma, demonstrates his ability to perform in high-pressure environments. Teams will be evaluating his potential as a vertical threat and a contributor on special teams. Given his relatively modest career statistics of 12 receptions and 110 yards, he will likely be signed to a practice squad or a minimum contract to compete for a depth role once his broken hand is fully healed.

Michael Woods’ College Career Highlights (Arkansas & Oklahoma)

Woods’ college career showcased his talent, which is why the Browns selected him in the 2022 NFL Draft. He began his collegiate journey with the Arkansas Razorbacks before transferring to the Oklahoma Sooners, seeking a more explosive passing offense.

• Arkansas Razorbacks (2018-2020): Woods spent three seasons in the SEC, where he developed his skills as a reliable receiver.
• Oklahoma Sooners (2021): He transferred to Oklahoma for his final college season, a move designed to boost his draft stock by playing in the Sooners' prolific Big 12 offense. His time at Oklahoma helped solidify his position as a draftable prospect.

His college tape demonstrates the athleticism and route-running ability that initially attracted the Cleveland Browns’ scouting department. The challenge for Woods now is to translate that potential into consistent NFL production, something that has been hampered by injuries since he entered the league. His immediate goal will be to prove his health and secure a spot on a new team's active roster or practice squad for the remainder of the 2025 season.