The Kansas City Chiefs just got done with the most agonizing part of training camp for every NFL team: roster cuts. Every team has to make the journey from 90 men down to 53, and that means getting rid of players teams believe in. These guys could impact their roster as soon as this season.

But luckily for the Chiefs and every other team, there are always guys who do slip through the cracks and make the roster. Not only do those guys make the roster, but they help their teams win games. One player in particular survived the Chiefs' roster cuts and could contribute positively to the Chiefs this season: Justyn Ross.

Justyn Ross

Justyn Ross was never supposed to go undrafted back in 2022, not after he led Clemson in receiving yards in 2018 with three NFL draft picks,  Tee Higgins, Hunter Renfrow, and Amari Rodgers, on the same roster while Ross was a freshman. But Ross pulled that off.

He finished his freshman campaign with 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns on just 46 receptions. His sophomore season wasn't too shabby either. His yardage dipped to 865 yards, but he caught 19 more balls and still managed to find paydirt eight times.

But then injuries happened. He was forced to miss all of the 2020 COVID season because of a spinal injury. In 2021, his season got cut short because of a foot injury. Despite all of his success early in his college career, Ross went undrafted. Ross did manage to get scooped up by the Kansas City Chiefs, but he missed the entire 2022 season in what the Chiefs deemed an essential redshirt season for Ross.

Justyn Ross' 2023 camp and preseason

Justyn Ross didn't get many chances to perform on the field in 2022, but he made up for lost time in 2023 and picked up right where he left off. Ross was routinely listed as a riser during Chiefs training camp by numerous beat writers. He did so by making plays like this seemingly every day:

Those plays carried over into the preseason. In three Chiefs preseason games, Ross hauled in six receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns. It all started in his NFL debut Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints, when he hauled in two balls for 29 yards and scored a touchdown.

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He added another touchdown in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns.

The Chiefs had a deep wide receiver room during training camp. Along with Ross were guys sure to make the team in Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Rashee Rice. Richie James had a good season with the Giants a year ago. Justin Watson knows the system in Kansas City. Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a talented player too, but he didn't make the cut. Ross, fortunately, was able to survive and make the Chiefs' 53-man roster.

Justyn Ross making the roster

Not only did Justyn Ross make the roster, but he's expected to play and have a role from the start of the year. Chiefs' GM Brett Veach said Ross and rookie Rashee Rice are going to be deployed as “package” players to begin the season.

It isn't the role Ross envisioned after his first two seasons at Clemson when he looked like a burgeoning star. But it is better than nothing, which is what Ross has been production-wise for two of his last three seasons. And it's a role that gives Ross a chance to make an impact and grow from there.

Justyn Ross may have gone undrafted and he had to scrap and claw to make a 53-man roster. But he's here now and should not be taken lightly.