Kansas City Chiefs Receiver Justyn Ross Enjoys Strong Preseason Debut

Second-year Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross made the most of his first NFL preseason action.

He beat New Orleans Saints rookie Jordan Howden for a 15-yard touchdown catch to cap the Chiefs’ second-to-last drive of the third quarter on Sunday.

“He did a great job,” said backup quarterback Shane Buechele, who threw the touchdown to Ross. “For him to be out on the field, trusting his ability and then just executing on the play … it was awesome.”

Following spine surgery while at Clemson and then repeated foot injuries — the latest landing him on the Chiefs’ injured reserved last summer — meant that it had been 638 days, according to Jesse Newell of The Kansas City Star, since Ross last played in a game.

Ross made a strong statement in his return.

“That’s a good part of the story,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said.

The story for Ross’ 2023 campaign began when the 6-4, 210-pound received his first action on the second drive of the second quarter. By the fourth quarter, most Chiefs who will be on the final roster, were no longer playing.

In addition to his score, Ross helped create the Chiefs’ first touchdown of their 26-24 loss to the Saints when he lined up on the far left side and ran a cross with Richie James, who was wide open for the one-yard touchdown.

Ross’ other completion (in addition to his 15-yard score) was impressive as well.

On the second play of the third quarter, he again lined up on the far left and converted the first down with a 14-yard catch after breaking the tackle of Saints defensive back Isaac Yiadom.

Ross, though, was far from perfect. He played a role in an interception on a pass intended for him with 1:40 left in the first half. Alontae Taylor tipped the pass, and Ugo Amadi came up with the pick.

The rust, though, is understandable, considering the 2022 undrafted free agent last played a football game when he was a redshirt junior at Clemson.

While with the Tigers, he showed enormous potential, recording 46 receptions for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman during Clemson’s national championship season.

“The talent’s through the roof,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “Anybody can see that, and I think he’s gotten better and better.”

Though much of the focus was on Ross and the Chiefs wide receivers, four of their first five plays on their opening drive were touches for running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is in the last year of his contract.

Mahomes was removed from the game after that initial series and did not attempt a pass to a wide receiver during the loss to the Saints.

The Chiefs’ emphasis on the run early in the preseason is nothing new.

The Chiefs are working in two new starting offensive tackles — Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor. The last time they overhauled their offensive line was during their first preseason game two years ago.

In that 19-13 victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Edwards-Helaire ran the ball on Kansas City’s first two plays, recording a first down on his first attempt and two more during his five touches, which came despite playing less than a quarter in Week One of the 2021 preseason.

During the first game of the 2023 preseason, Buechele said the smile on Ross’ face, following his touchdown, was the best part.

Ross’ enjoyment after catching the touchdown was no surprise, considering he even referred to the first hit he absorbed during training camp as “beautiful.”

“I loved it,” he said while laughing. “I couldn’t wait.”

Ross’ preseason appearance was eagerly anticipated by Chiefs fans after he made several highlight reel plays during training camp.

In the second year of his three-year, $2.6 million contract, he is slated to earn just $750,000 this year. If Ross makes the Chiefs’ final roster, he will represent great value.

“He’s done nice job, he had a good offseason and then he’s worked his tail off,” Reid said. “He just needs to keep doing that.”