PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers have released defensive back Ryan Watts, who will medically retire from football due to a career-ending neck injury.

Watts, drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, sustained a season-ending neck injury in the final preseason game of his rookie season against the Detroit Lions in August 2024. His injury was initially declared a stinger, but he was later placed on season-ending injured reserve on Aug. 27.

“Unfortunately, today we are releasing Ryan Watts from our roster,” Steelers General Manager Omar Khan said in a statement. “After consulting with our medical team, medical experts, and Ryan’s representatives, we all agree that it is in Ryan’s best interest to discontinue playing football at this time.

“We will continue to assist and support Ryan as he transitions to the next phase of his life,” he added.

Watts played two seasons at Ohio State in 2020 and 2021 before transferring to Texas to play his final two collegiate seasons in 2022 and 2023. He finished his college career with 100 tackles, six pass deflections, three interceptions and one sack in 41 games.