Chiefs WR Justyn Ross Arrested on 2 Misdemeanor Charges in Kansas

Getty Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross was arrested on October 23, 2023.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross was arrested and named by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office’s “Booking and Release Report” on Monday, October 23, in Shawnee, Kansas.

BREAKING UPDATE: As of October 24, the updated court disposition detailed two misdemeanor charges — lowered from the initial felony criminal damage charge listed on the booking report on October 23. The updated charges are domestic battery with no priors and criminal damage of less than $1,000.

The arresting officer also included a “**DV**” code in the comments of the original booking report, which is an abbreviation typically used for a domestic violence incident.

At 7:08 p.m. CST on October 23, NFL Network’s Clayton Holloway informed that NFL Media confirmed the arrest. Holloway added that “Ross has a court date set for tomorrow,” and Fox 4 KC’s Grant Flanders has since noted that his arraignment has been pushed back to 2:30 p.m. CST.

According to Charles Goldman of A-to-Z Sports Kansas City, “the team is aware of Ross’ arrest, but they have not issued any further comments or statements at this time.”

Chiefs WR Justyn Ross Has Struggled to Make an Impact Despite Remaining Healthy in 2023

Up to this point, Ross’ major issues at the NFL level have been health. The former ACC receiving leader and four-star WR recruit was derailed by injuries at Clemson.

Those long-term ailments not only caused Ross to go undrafted, but they also prevented him from playing his rookie year in Kansas City.

After a difficult journey back from congenital fusion in his spine — or Klippel-Feil syndrome — a bulging disc in his neck, and a stress fracture in his left foot leading to season-ending surgery in 2022, Ross overcame the odds and made the 53-man roster this summer.

He has since appeared in all seven games for the Chiefs but has only caught three of six targets for 34 yards.

Considering all the national hype coming into year two, that sort of impact has been disappointing, and this booking is even more disheartening for supporters of the 23-year-old prospect.

Just a few weeks ago, analysts and fans were calling for Ross to get more snaps. That narrative had continued up until Week 7 and the franchise’s trade for Mecole Hardman.

In fact, even the Hardman acquisition has not deterred Ross fans considering the youngster out-snapped a bigger name like Kadarius Toney against the Los Angeles Chargers. We’ll have to wait and see what this charge means for the playmaker’s future.

Chiefs WR Depth Has Taken Some Hits After Justin Watson & Richie James Injuries

We cannot speculate what this all means for Ross, but what we do know is that the Chiefs WR room has already taken some hits this year.

Justin Watson is currently sidelined with an elbow injury — although it doesn’t appear to be a long-term absence — and Richie James was placed on the injured reserve on September 23.

Those injuries were part of the reason that the Chiefs traded for Hardman last week.

The front office was also able to retain wide receiver/returner Montrell Washington on a practice squad contract, after Hardman took his place on the active roster.

Kansas City’s snap leaders at the wide receiver position against the Chargers were Marquez Valdes-Scantling (47), Skyy Moore (41) and rookie Rashee Rice (40) according to Pro Football Focus.

If Watson misses his second straight game in Week 8 — and if Ross were to miss any time — that would leave Toney and Hardman as the only options behind the trio above.

The Chiefs could also choose to elevate a practice squad wide receiver against the Denver Broncos next weekend. The options are Washington, Daniel Arias, Chase Cota and former KC draft pick Cornell Powell.

The latter appeared in three games in 2022, with three offensive snaps and another 28 on special teams.