
Just days before the team is set to report to St. Joseph for training camp, the Kansas City Chiefs have officially waived wide receiver Justyn Ross, according to the NFL’s daily transaction wire on Wednesday.
Ross, once considered a future star at Clemson, burst onto the national scene in 2018 as a freshman. He played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ national championship run, tallying 301 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the College Football Playoff, forming a dynamic connection with quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
However, Ross’s promising trajectory took a major hit in 2020 when he underwent spinal fusion surgery, sidelining him for the entire season. Despite returning to the field in 2021, concerns surrounding his medical history led to him going undrafted in 2022. The Chiefs took a chance, signing him as a free agent.
The excitement surrounding Ross’s potential was high, but injuries and off-field issues marred his time in Kansas City. He missed his rookie year with a foot injury and later faced a six-game absence in 2023 while on the Commissioner’s Exempt List following a domestic violence arrest. That season, he recorded just six receptions for 53 yards.
Ross failed to make the 53-man roster for the 2024 season and spent most of the year on the practice squad. Although elevated for two games, he didn’t log any in-game statistics.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Ross requested his release last week — a request the team has now granted.
With Ross no longer on the roster, Kansas City has an open spot on their 90-man training camp list as they gear up for the upcoming season.