KC Chiefs: Justyn Ross hype will have to wait for now

When the Kansas City Chiefs first signed Justyn Ross to a contract as an undrafted free agent, the resulting response was one of overwhelming praise from fans and analysts. In fact, the buzz over the signing grew to such proportions that it overtook the excitement linked with players who were actually selected—even in the draft’s earliest rounds.

That hype is now going to have to wait with the news that Ross recently underwent surgery to clean up a lingering foot injury going back to his college days at Clemson.

Anyone who was hoping to see and hear more about Justyn Ross’s bright future for the Chiefs is going to have to wait for now.

On Friday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters at the start of training camp in St. Joseph to provide injury updates for players who would begin camp on the Physically Unable to Play list (PUP). Along with offensive tackle Lucas Niang and cornerback Rashad Fenton, Ross was designated as out for camp for now as he continues to rehab from the procedure even though he will be present with teammates.

For all of the hype coming into the summer around Ross and the Chiefs—including multiple persons who even said it was unfair that an offense like the Chiefs could add a player of Ross’s considerable talents—it appears anyone hoping for reality to catch up with such buzz will have to wait quite some time. In fact, it wouldn’t shock anyone at this point to see Ross as an injured reserve stash for the franchise for the ’22 campaign.

None of this takes away from Ross’s ability. He was, after all, considered the prime wide receiving talent in college football only a few years ago when he dominated at the highest level of competition from the moment he stepped onto the field. However, that was also several injuries ago and it’s just hard for anyone to tell how productive he can be at the professional level.

For now, Ross is a very intriguing, high-ceiling talent who the Chiefs now control for the next few years. That sort of investment might not match the hype—especially in the present—but it should be fun to see how he develops if K.C.’s lauded medical/training staff can get him healthy.