Ryan Watts was escorted off the field in August after a neck injury against the Detroit Lions.
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Former Texas Longhorns and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ryan Watts will no longer be able to play professional football.
Watts, a sixth-round selection by the Steelers in the 2024 NFL Draft, endured a season-ending neck injury during the Steelers’ preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 24. At the time, the injury was diagnosed as a “stinger,” which is defined as “injuries that occur when nerves in the neck and shoulder are stretched or compressed (squeezed together) after an impact…. named for the stinging or burning pain that spreads from the shoulder to the hand,” according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Watts was placed on season-ending injured reserve soon after.
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On Monday, the Steelers posted a statement on X saying that the team had released Watts.
“Unfortunately, today we are releasing Ryan Watts from our roster,” Steelers manager Omar Khan said in a statement. “After consulting with our medical team, medical experts, and Ryan’s representatives, we all agree that it is Ryan’s best interest to discontinue playing football at this time. We will continue to support Ryan as he transitions to this next phase of life.”
Steelers rookie sixth-rounder Ryan Watts sustained a significant, scary neck injury in the final preseason game. Looks like he got surgery recently after spending his entire first season on injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/ddQcNw9SyK
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) January 25, 2025
In January, Watts posted a picture on his Instagram story from a hospital bed, wearing a neck brace. The caption read: “This has easily been one of the hardest years of my life. Through serious injury and all I will remain optimistic because I can do ALL things through HIM. Road to recovery….”
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Unfortunately, Watt’s career in the NFL ended before it even began. The cornerback from Little Elm, Texas, spent his first two years at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, where he started 23 of 24 games for the Longhorns. Watts was named to the honorable mention All-Big 12 team by the league’s coaches, along with receiving honorable mention All-Big 12 Defensive Newcomer Player of the Year recognition in 2022.
Ryan Watts was a key player for the Texas Longhorns during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
He finished his two-year career at Texas with 89 total tackles (63 solo), including five for a loss of 18 yards and one sack. He tallied one interception and seven pass breakups.
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