Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Ryan Watts underwent surgery for a neck injury late last week. He suffered the injury in the preseason and tried to rehab it. Watts posted on Instagram that he was in a neck brace and that the last year had been one of the toughest he had experienced in his life.

His significant other took to Instagram to seemingly express similar sentiments, and it confirmed that Watt underwent surgery after the season. That could affect his availability for the 2025 season.

Over the last few months of the season, Watts participated in physical activities to the side, but it seems the rehab did not help Watts get back onto the field. He had been waiting for medical clearance but never received it.

That injury occurred near the final play of the game against the Detroit Lions in August, when Watts got struck by a knee to the head. After the play, Watts was diagnosed with a stinger. However, he never returned to the field and was placed on season-ending injured reserve a week after that.