Clemson Star WR Justyn Ross Out for Season With Rare Disorder in Spine

One of the best perimeter weapons in all of college football will not play a snap of football in 2020.

Clemson deep threat Justyn Ross, who was viewed by many as a potential first-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, will not play this season after an X-ray discovered a congenital fusion in his neck and spine, which he has had since birth. He is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday.

Breaking injury update from Clemson: Justyn Ross is going to have surgery Friday. When he had an X-ray after the spring injury, he learned he was born with something called congenital fusion. He will not play this season.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) June 1, 2020

This could be a crippling blow to Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson offense.

Ross hauled in an even 1,000 yards as a freshman, serving as the primary field stretcher on a national championship winner. Ross' yards dropped to 865 in 2019, but he caught 66 passes, 20 more than he did as a freshman, and hauled in eight touchdowns.

Dabo Swinney on WR Justyn Ross. Surgery scheduled for Friday. Ross has what Swinney called a "congenital fusion in his neck/spine. Doctors are very concerned.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) June 1, 2020

With Amari Rodgers still in the slot, the most likely candidate to be Clemson's No. 1 target following Ross' surgery and Tee Higgins' move to the NFL is former 4-star recruit Joe Ngata. Rising senior Cornell Powell and former elite recruit Frank Ladsen Jr. will also compete for snaps.

The throw was obviously awesome, but this catch by 4 star recruit Joseph Ngata from Folsam, CA was outstanding. Excellent releases and he's very fluid in his movements pic.twitter.com/qgKolLPTnk
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 6, 2019

While Clemson fans will be disappointed that he isn't going to be out on the field once the fall rolls around, Ross' health and safety are of paramount importance right now. Hopefully this isn't the end of what could be a tremendous pro career.