The 2025 NFL Draft has wrapped up, and the young prospects added to each team will begin their professional football journeys. Despite the excitement that most will feel, one draftee has been dealt a significant blow.
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Pittsburgh Steelers sixth-round pick Ryan Watts has been released from the team due to a major medical issue. Watts has been advised to stop playing football altogether.
Steelers GM Omar Khan released a statement on the release.
“Unfortunately, today we are releasing Ryan Watts from our roster. 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 will now presumably take some time away from football, and figure out if the injury he suffered will allow him to return to the game.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 25: General manager Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 25: General manager Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brooke Sutton/Getty Images
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Watts reportedly suffered a season-ending neck injury in the preseason of college last season. Though there was hope that his neck injury would lead to his being able to play, further tests have concluded that the young cornerback.
Watts was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas.
There have been multiple players who have suffered a similar injury and found their way back to the game. Miami Dolphins star Jaelan Phillips, for one.
Phillips suffered a neck injury as a member of the UCLA Bruins, and was forced to medically retire from the game of football in 2018. Despite the injury, he made his way back to the University of Miami in 2019.
Phillips did not play until the 2020 season, but put together an impressive campaign the next two seasons to land with the Dolphins.
This is not to say that Watts and Phillips suffered the same exact neck injury, and they will heal from that injury in the same manner. However, Watts was not shut down for the rest of his life.
The above statement from Khan appears to hint that Watts has only been advised to stop playing football right now, which could mean he may return to the game at some point. This is just speculation, though.
Watts will have to remain off the field for the time being, but the Steelers organization is set to support him through the whole process.
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