Justyn Ross’s journey from collegiate standout to NFL hopeful has been an interesting subplot fo the Kansas City Chiefs. As it currently stands, however, that path might be coming to its end in the 2025 preseason.
Once heralded as a surefire first-round pick out of Clemson, Ross finds himself teetering on the edge of the Chiefs’ roster after three-plus seasons of opportunity.
Ross burst onto the college scene in 2018, recording 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman at Clemson. His performance for the Tigers in the national championship against Alabama, where he amassed 153 yards and a touchdown, solidified his status as a top prospect.
Justyn Ross is teetering on the edge of the Chiefs’ roster this preseason.
From there, a congenital spinal condition requiring surgery sidelined him for the entire 2020 season. Despite returning in 2021, concerns over his health sank his draft stock, and he went completely overlooked in the 2022 draft. The Chiefs took a chance and signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Ross’s professional career began with the same sort of setbacks that plagued his later college years. A foot injury placed him on injured reserve for his entire rookie season. In 2023, he managed to appear in 10 games, recording six receptions for 53 yards. However, an arrest on criminal damage charges got him suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The Chiefs’ wide receiver room has become increasingly crowded in the last year as well. With the emergence of players like Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, the signing of Hollywood Brown, and the return of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ross faces stiff competition. The Chiefs also added Jalen Royals in the 2025 draft, and a new crop of developmental players are ready to compete.
Ross’s talent is undeniable, but availability and consistency are vital to any success in the NFL. With a history of injuries and off-field issues, Ross’s margin for error is slim. That means this year’s training camp will be critical when determining his standing with the team.
