Patrick Mahomes gains new secret Chiefs weapon with inspirational comeback story

26 August 2023 , 21:05

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Patrick Mahomes has a new downfield weapon to work with in 2023, with Justyn Ross impressing in the preseason. (Image: Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs were dangerous enough as is, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes may now have another reliable receiving target. Mahomes was shown reacting giddily on the sideline Saturday when Justyn Ross snared a touchdown in a 33-32 pre-season win over the Cleveland Browns.

The 6-foot-4 former Clemson wide receiver — once a sure bet to go in the first round before injuries nearly ended his career — made the spectacular leaping touchdown catch in the second quarter. It was his second pre-season touchdown after he scored in the opener against the New Orleans Saints.

The 23-year-old remains locked in a tight competition to make the regular-season active roster and get consistent playing time; journeyman Ihmir Smith-Marsette and rookie Rashee Rice are also delivering positive impressions this month. His pedigree could give him an upper hand. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was in the TV booth during the receiver's latest score and predicted a breakout 2023.

"It's been great, and obviously, everyone knows the fast start he had in college. Then he got sidetracked by some injuries," Veach said. "Last year, our training staff did a great job with him of bringing him back and giving him the time needed.

"And I think halfway through the OTAs, I really think you started to see it click and he started to get that confidence, that self-belief back and it's continued on through training camps, and we're certainly expecting big things from Justyn this year."

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Ross arrived at Clemson as a four-star recruit, ranked the 15th-best incoming freshman receiver in the nation by 247Sports. He led the Tigers in receiving as a freshman — ahead of future NFL players Tee Higgins, Amari Rodgers and Hunter Renfrow. In a national championship win over Alabama, Ross made six catches for 153 yards and a touchdown to cap a perfect 15-0 season. With Trevor Lawrence slinging him passes, he appeared to be a shoo-in to be a high NFL draft pick.

But a scary spinal injury sustained at spring camp wiped out his junior season; most analysts projected him to be a top-20 selection before he took a brutal hit from a linebacker in practice while trying to make a catch on a slant route over the middle. Scans revealed a congenital fusion. Many doctors told him he would never play football again, but surgery to reduce pressure on his spine gave him hope he could return.

Justyn Ross has made an inspirational return to action this summer and could make the Kansas City Chiefs active roster. (Getty Images)

Even as NFL scouts, who had once drooled over his potential abandoned him, he remained determined to carve out a professional career. "Once a team gets me, they're going to get everything out of me," Ross told ESPN. "I'm still that same player everybody knows."

Ross received medical clearance and played 10 games for Clemson in 2021. However, foot problems hampered his comeback. After the season, he underwent foot surgery that led him to go undrafted. He missed all of last year in recovery.

"He played with a broken bone in his foot," Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney told ESPN. "To me, that's all you really need to know about the kid. He just came off a yearlong rehabilitation and then plays with a crack in his foot and you would have never known it. He never complained. He just competed."

This offseason has been Ross' first extended run without a significant ailment in a long time. The Chiefs have been impressed with what they've seen after stashing him on Injured Reserve in 2022.

Ross could be a genuine factor in Kansas City's offence following a slew of offseason departures. Kadarius Toney continues to miss time, while neither Marquez Valdes-Scantling nor Skyy Moore has ever eclipsed even 700 receiving yards in a campaign. Smith-Marsette and Rice will be his primary competition in three- and four-wide receiver formations.

Veach's praise for Ross on Saturday indicated he's a near-lock for the active roster in Week 1. And after all he's endured, he will likely be emotional when he sees the field in an NFL regular-season game for the first time.

Dan Bernstein