Ryan Watts was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. At just 23 years of age, he has now been forced to end his playing career.

Sad news from Pittsburgh: Ryan Watts is ending his NFL career. And at just 23 years old.

The sixth-round pick from 2024 suffered a neck injury in the Steelers’ last preseason game against the Detroit Lions. This ended the cornerback’s rookie season prematurely.

Watts, who played for Ohio State and Texas during his college career, posted an update in January and appeared optimistic.

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But it’s now over for him in American football, as the Steelers have officially announced.

“Unfortunately, we must announce that we have released Ryan Watts from our roster,” said Steelers GM Omar Khan: ”After consulting with our medical team, external experts and Ryan’s representatives, we have all come to the conclusion that it is in Ryan’s best interest to end his football career at this time.”

The Steelers will “continue to support and accompany Watts as he transitions into the next phase of his life,” the statement continued.