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Former Texas DB released by Pittsburgh Steelers over medical concerns
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Former Texas defensive back Ryan Watts was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday because of medical concerns from a serious neck injury he suffered last year.
The 23-year-old Watts was a 6th-round pick of the Steelers in 2024, but his rookie season was cut short because of a season-ending neck injury that Watts suffered during the final preseason game.
“We all agree that it’s in 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 his life,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in a statement on Monday morning.
According to Khan, the Steelers’ decision to release Watts was reached after a full consultation with team doctors, medical experts and Watts’ representatives. Here is Khan’s complete statement on Watts:
The injury to Watts happened last year on Aug. 24 during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions. The team initially thought it was only a stinger, but it was far more serious than that. Watts was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Watts spent 2 years at Ohio State in 2020 and 2021 before transferring to Texas for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Texas native had exactly 100 tackles and 3 interceptions during his collegiate career.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
