Pittsburgh Steelers Release Ryan Watts Due to Career-Ending Injury
In a statement released on Monday morning, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that they are releasing defensive back Ryan Watts from their roster, effectively ending his NFL career after just one season. The 23-year-old Watts suffered a severe neck injury in the Steelers’ final preseason game against the Detroit Lions on August 24.
According to Steelers general manager Omar Khan, the decision to release Watts was made after consulting with medical professionals, and it is in the best interest of Watts’ health and wellbeing. "Unfortunately, today we are releasing Ryan Watts from our roster," Khan said. "After consulting with our medical team, medical experts, and Ryan’s representatives, we all agree that it is in Ryan’s best interest to discontinue playing football at this time. We will continue to assist and support Ryan as he transitions to the next phase of his life."
Watts, a former Texas Longhorns defensive back, was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. During his time at Texas, Watts transferred to the university in 2022 after spending the first two years of his career at Ohio State. In 24 games with the Longhorns over two seasons, of which he started 23, he posted 89 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, six passes defended, and one interception. The Little Elm, Texas native was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2022.
According to reports from SI.com, Watts was one of the better defensive backs in the 2020 class, coming out of Little Elm High School. He played at cornerback, safety, and wide receiver as a senior, earning second-team All-State honors.
The news of Watts’ release is a sad one for NFL fans, particularly those who support the Steelers. However, his health and wellbeing take priority above all else. As SI.com reports, "While it hurts for Watts to give up his NFL dream so soon, his health obviously takes priority above all else. Hopefully, he will be able to enjoy a happy and healthy life after football."
Watts was part of a Longhorns draft class that featured 11 players, the most in program history until they had 12 players drafted this year. He was the second-to-last Longhorn selected, with him and defensive back Jordan Whittington – who went to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 213 – rounding out the class.
As reported by SI.com, Watts’ injury occurred during the Steelers’ final preseason game against the Detroit Lions on August 24. The severity of the injury has not been disclosed, but it is understood to be a career-ending condition.
In a statement, Steelers general manager Omar Khan expressed his support for Watts, saying, "We will continue to assist and support Ryan as he transitions to the next phase of his life." This sentiment is echoed by fans and fellow players alike, who will undoubtedly wish Watts all the best in his future endeavors.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to release Ryan Watts due to his career-ending injury serves as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices that athletes make in pursuit of their dreams. As reported by SI.com, Watts’ story is a sad one, but it also highlights the importance of prioritizing one’s health and wellbeing.
This article has been sourced from SI.com, a reputable sports news outlet. All information and quotes are attributed to the original source.
