John Ross, the former wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants, has made the difficult decision to retire from the NFL at the young age of 27. Despite entering the league with high expectations following an impressive Combine performance, Ross struggled to translate his skills to the professional level. Injuries plagued his pro football journey, limiting him to just 37 games over six seasons in the league. Let’s take a closer look at his injury-plagued career and the factors that led to his decision to retire.
John Ross
Ross’s NFL career got off to a challenging start with the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie. A knee injury early on led to limited playing time and a drop on the team’s depth chart. In just three games, Ross had a fumble and failed to make any receptions, further hindering his progress in the league. In his rookie season with the Bengals, Ross encountered knee injuries, limiting him to just three games and minimal playing time. Despite being a first-round pick, he struggled to establish himself in the team’s offense and faced competition in the wide receiver depth chart.
Breakthrough Moments in 2018 and 2019
Despite the setbacks, Ross showed promise in the 2018 season, contributing 21 catches, 210 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns, although he missed games due to a groin injury. His breakout moments came in the first two weeks of the 2019 season, where he delivered outstanding performances with 158 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 and 112 yards and another touchdown in Week 2. In 2021, Ross signed with the New York Giants, seeking a fresh start in his career. Despite showing potential, his performance with the Giants was limited by injuries, and he played in just 10 games during the 2021 season.
Continuous Battle with Injuries
Unfortunately, injuries continued to haunt Ross throughout his career. He spent eight weeks on the injured reserve during the 2019 season due to a shoulder problem, affecting his overall performance. The 2020 season saw Ross play in just three games before being placed on injured reserve again, this time due to a foot injury sustained during practice. Faced with persistent injuries and challenges, John Ross made the difficult choice to retire from the NFL at the age of 27. His record-breaking 40-yard dash at the Combine will forever be remembered, but his career will also be marked by what could have been.
A Move to the New York Giants
In 2021, John Ross made a move to the New York Giants, hoping for a fresh start. However, his performances remained consistent with previous years, with 11 catches, 224 receiving yards, and one touchdown on 20 targets. Unfortunately, Ross didn’t participate in any games during the 2022 season, further adding to his injury-plagued career.
The Decision to Retire
After years of battling injuries and struggling to find consistent playing time, Ross announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 27. His decision to call it quits was primarily driven by the toll injuries had taken on his body and the realization that he couldn’t fully realize his talent on the field.
John Ross’s NFL career was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, marked by moments of promise and brilliance overshadowed by recurring injuries. Despite his remarkable speed and potential, the relentless physical toll took its toll, ultimately leading to his decision to retire at a young age. As he embarks on a new chapter post-NFL, football fans will remember John Ross as a player whose career was defined by what could have been, had injuries not stood in his way.