Justyn Ross Issued Suspension, Details on Timeline for Return to KC Chiefs

Ross is being issued a lengthy suspension from the NFL, although the timeline for a potential return isn't what some would initially expect.

The Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver room has been an ever-changing dynamic this season, and that could evolve once again in the very near future. This time, Justyn Ross is set to factor into the picture.

Ross, who has been on the NFL Commissioner's Exempt List since late October, is being issued a six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. With that said, because Ross has already missed five games for Kansas City, those outings count against his total. As a result, the second-year pass-catcher is eligible to return to the team and is expected to do so following a Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills. Adam Schefter of ESPN cites Ross's return date as Monday, adding that the 23-year-old must pay back the game checks he got while on "paid leave." 

Chiefs’ WR Justyn Ross, who has missed the last five games on the Commissioner Exempt List after an October incident, will be suspended six regular season games for violating the Personal Conduct Policy, per the NFL. Since any games a player misses while on the list is credited… pic.twitter.com/M5MZzU25ot

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2023

Chiefs’ WR Justyn Ross, who has missed the last five games on the Commissioner Exempt List after an October incident, will be suspended six regular season games for violating the Personal Conduct Policy, per the NFL. Since any games a player misses while on the list is credited against his suspension, he will be back with the team on Monday after the Chiefs’ game Sunday against the Bills. He will have to pay back the six game checks he received on paid leave.

Last month, Ross was granted diversion stemming from an October arrest in Kansas. That diversion signaled that the former Clemson star is no longer facing criminal charges, with a judge formally diverting the case on Nov. 22. Ross was arrested and booked on Oct. 23, later pleading not guilty to one count of criminal damage and one count of domestic battery with no priors. This came after a domestic incident in which Ross allegedly found out that his girlfriend was cheating on him and subsequently grew upset.

In seven games played this season, Ross has three receptions on six targets for 34 yards and no scores. He saw his snap counts fluctuate while in the lineup, topping out at 29 in Week 3 but then dipping down to four and six, respectively, in Weeks 5 and 6. In the two games leading up to his stint on the Commissioner's Exempt List, he played a combined 27 snaps but wasn't targeted in the passing game. Kansas City signed Ross as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has been patient by rostering him through injuries and development.

Ross didn't count against the Chiefs' 53-man roster total while on the aforementioned leave, so expect a corresponding move to be made following Week 14 if he indeed returns to the roster after finishing the suspension. 

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