Texas Ex Ryan Watts To Miss Entire 2024 Rookie NFL Season

Former Texas cornerback Ryan Watts received devastating news on Tuesday.

While the former Longhorn made the Pittsburgh Steelers’ final 53-man roster, he will miss the 2024 season with a still undetermined injury originally reported as a mere stinger.

After Pittsburgh drafted Watts in the 6th round with the No. 195 overall pick, he appeared in all three of the Steelers’ preseason games, totaling 13 tackles, and impressed longtime Head Coach Mike Tomlin despite having to quickly adjust to playing safety .

“He’s getting better, getting better every day,” Tomlin said via Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney. “A component of that man is his communication skills. A young guy that communicates as clearly as he does, it kind of indicates something. And so, he’s headed in the right direction.”

Watts arrived on the Forty Acres in 2022 as a transfer from Ohio State and quickly had a crucial moment to forget in only his second game wearing Burnt Orange. As Texas clung to a 19-17 lead against then No. 1 Alabama, Watts went unblocked on a cornerback blitz and had a free shot at then-Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Watts took a bad angle , allowing Young to step up, break the sack and take off, scampering for a 20-yard gain to put the Crimson Tide in field goal range. Four plays later, Alabama would make a 33-yard field goal to escape the upset in Austin.

But Watts would respond with his best college season, compiling 51 tackles, including four for loss and a sack, to go with an interception in his first year with the Longhorns. In his senior season, Watts would take a slight step back with 38 total tackles (30 solo), one tackle for loss and three passes defended across 11 games.

As the Little Elm, Texas, product begins his long road to recovery, fans will unfortunately have to wait a year to see Watts in NFL action.

Related: Former Texas LB Jaylan Ford makes Saints' 53-man roster