Ryan Watts: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ryan Watts suffered what was ultimately a career-ending neck injury in the team's preseason finale last year against the Detroit Lions, and he went on the "Athlete Spine" podcast to discuss what he felt on the field after getting hit.

NFL News / Steel City Underground / May 20

2024 Steelers Season Recall: Roster cuts surprise ahead of season’s start

Steel City Underground presents our 2024 Steelers Recall: a look back at Pittsburgh Steelers games and storylines from last season. One of the more unpleasant

Miami Dolphins News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

How many of the players with the most recent 10-touchdown (non-passing) season by NFL team can you name in five minutes?

The 'NFL yearly completion % leaders' quiz

The 'Most receiving yards in one NFL game' quiz

The 'NFL active rushing leaders' quiz

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Texas Longhorns on SI / April 30

Former Texas Longhorn Ryan Watts Shares Heartfelt Message After Medical Retirement

Days after the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that they were releasing former Texas Longhorn defensive back Ryan Watts for medical reasons, advising him to medically retire from football.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The biggest disappointments from the 2025 NFL season

All NFL players enter the season with high hopes, but sometimes seasons don't go as hoped. These 20 players have been some of the biggest disappointments early in the 2025 season.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Pittsburgh Steelers on SI / April 30

Steelers DB Announces Retirement After Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers were struck with bad news following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft as former 6th round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, Texas cornerback Ryan Watts, was forced to medically retire from football.

Ohio State Buckeyes News / A to Z Sports / April 29

Former Texas and Ohio State star forced out of football after devastating medical update

Just days after the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrated welcoming in its 2025 NFL Draft class, the team unceremoniously announced devastating news about one of its 2024 draft picks.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Pro Football Rumors / April 28

Steelers release Ryan Watts; DB’s career likely over

Ryan Watts joined the Steelers as a sixth-round pick in last year’s draft.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Looking back at every NFL Christmas Day game

For years, Thanksgiving belonged to the NFL, but Christmas belonged to the NBA. Occasionally, an NFL game would fall on Christmas, but it was anomalous, even avoided if possible.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Gridiron Heroics / April 28

Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Tragically Retires Before Playing 1 Snap in NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected seven players in the 2025 NFL Draft over the weekend. The Steelers added cornerback Donte Kent in the seventh round, something that was necessary as the team was set to part ways with a draft pick from the 2024 class.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Steeler Nation / April 28

Steelers' Omar Khan Breaks Silence After Devastating News About Draft Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted defensive back Ryan Watts with the 195th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Watts showed promise throughout his rookie training camp and preseason, but his journey was cut short after suffering a neck injury during the Steelers' final preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

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The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz

The 'Active NBA PPG leaders' quiz

The 'Oldest 4,000-passing-yard seasons' quiz

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Pittsburgh Steelers on SI / February 26

Steelers Uncertain of Injured Rookie's Future

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ryan Watts was unable to play during his rookie season due to a neck injury in the fourth quarter of the Steelers final preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Steeler Nation / February 25

Insider Believes It's 'Premature' For Steelers To Plan For Future Of Injured 2024 Draft Pick

A lot has been discussed regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers' dire need for help on the offensive side of the ball. The two positions being highlighted early in the 2025 offseason are quarterback and wide receiver.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Steeler Nation / January 25

Steelers Fans Get New Update From 2024 Sixth Round Pick Ryan Watts

When the Pittsburgh Steelers used their sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Ryan Watts from Texas, there was a lot of excitement about him being a sleeper pick.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Steelers Now / January 25

Steelers Rookie DB Gives Update after Season-Ending Neck Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive back Ryan Watts apparently recently underwent surgery to repair a neck injury that cost him the entire 2024 season.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Athlon Sports / January 24

Steelers Rookie Shares Injury Update After Lost Season

The final moments of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason were among the most fearful of the season. In the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions, sixth-round rookie defensive back Ryan Watts took a knee to the head/neck area.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / 5 GOATs / August 27, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers DB Ryan Watts suffers season-ending injury

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ryan Watts will miss his rookie season, the franchise announced. The former Texas standout was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday as the Steelers finalized their 53-man roster.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / NFL on ClutchPoints / August 24, 2024

Steelers’ Ryan Watts suffers preseason injury scare vs. Lions

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their NFL preseason schedule this afternoon with a 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. However, it was an injury to defensive back Ryan Watts that left his teammates and Steelers fans holding their breath.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Steeler Nation / June 23, 2024

Steelers' Ryan Watts Taking Every Advantage He Can By 'Asking A Lot Of Questions'

The Pittsburgh Steelers will rely on Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson to lock down either side of the field for the defense. Bringing back Cameron Sutton despite his legal issues addressed the slot cornerback position, especially with the familiarity Sutton has in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Steelers Now / June 20, 2024

Steelers Rookie Ryan Watts Has Clear Path to Roster

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Ryan Watts might be the rookie the team drafted with the most tenuous spot on the roster. It’s not hard to figure out why that would be the case, as Watts’ intrigue is a lot about the physical tools that allow him to be a versatile chess piece all over the football field.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / Steeler Nation / June 19, 2024

Steelers Make Shocking Move To Release Safety: 'Good News For Rookie Sixth-Rounder Ryan Watts'

In August 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety Trenton Thompson. Although he was waived by the team a month later, he was subsequently re-signed to the practice squad.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / DK Pittsburgh Sports / May 29, 2024

Watts welcomes mentality shift that comes with move to safety

It was easy to see how a player like Ryan Watts could make a transition from cornerback to safety within the Steelers' defense. Watts bloomed into a 6-foot-3, 205-pound starter for Ohio State and Texas at the cornerback position in his four-year college career.

Pittsburgh Steelers News / DK Pittsburgh Sports / May 20, 2024

Halicke: Watts might be a viable candidate at slot cornerback

It's been a few years since the Steelers have had a good slot cornerback, pretty much ever since Mike Hilton chose orange and black over black and gold in 2021.