In his first public appearance since wide receiver Justyn Ross’s arrest on Monday, October 23, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid opened up about the incident during a press conference held on October 25.
Reid expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating, “We’re taking in all of the information, and have been. We’ll continue to do that. He’s back here [at the facility]. He’ll work today, and we’ll just take it from there.”
The arrest of 23-year-old Justyn Ross, conducted by the Shawnee (Kansas) Police Department, led to his booking into the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Ross faced charges of domestic battery with no prior offenses and criminal damage amounting to less than $1,000, according to booking records.
The Kansas City Star provided insights into the incident involving Ross and a female identified as someone in a dating relationship with him.
A police dispatcher, as captured on Broadcastify.com, relayed that the alleged victim reported Ross was “dragging her through the house and has torn up the house.” While the alleged victim sustained minor injuries, the offense report from the Shawnee Police Department did not specify the exact nature of these injuries.
Property damage was reported to include a laptop, iPhone, computer monitor, gold bracelet, and car key, as outlined in the offense report.
During Ross’s Zoom court hearing on Tuesday, October 24, he pleaded not guilty and was slated for release upon posting a $2,500 bond, as reported by Harold R. Kuntz of Fox 4 in Kansas City. Ross’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 4.
Ross, despite being in his second year with the Chiefs, had seen limited usage within the team’s offense throughout the initial seven weeks of the regular season. He was on the field for only 17% of the team’s total offensive snaps, managing to catch 3 of 6 targets for a total of 34 yards.
The question that arises is why Ross received such minimal playing time this season, especially considering the inconsistent performance of other Chiefs’ wide receivers. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated provided an explanation, attributing Ross’s limited playing time to concerns on the practice field.
According to Breer, Ross exhibited inconsistency during practice, struggled with speed, and had difficulty with certain routes. These factors made him a challenging fit for an offense that frequently shifts its receivers around, requiring versatility. As a result, Ross was relegated to a role as a situational player.
On a brighter note, Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson, who missed the team’s Week 7 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers due to an elbow injury, is set to return to practice during Week 8, as announced by Coach Reid. Watson has been a standout performer, leading all Chiefs pass-catchers this season with an impressive average of 21.9 yards per catch.
His ability to make big plays down the field has significantly contributed to the Chiefs’ offensive capabilities, making his potential return a welcomed addition to the lineup in Week 8 when the Chiefs face the division-rival Denver Broncos for the second time in three games.
If, for any reason, Watson is unable to play in Week 8, the Chiefs’ receiving corps on game day will consist of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman, and Justyn Ross.