New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk has retired from the NFL at the age of 24, the team announced Sunday. The surprising move comes just one week into training camp, cutting short the career of a player who was a second-round draft selection.
Polk, chosen 37th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, was placed on the reserve/retired list by the Saints. He had been participating in training camp with the hopes of making the team’s roster. Saints coach Kellen Moore had previously stated Polk was excused from practices on Friday and Sunday due to personal matters.
While injuries had been a concern for Polk earlier in his career with the New England Patriots, it is not believed to be the primary reason for his retirement. He was seen practicing as recently as Thursday.
The Saints acquired Polk in a trade last September, even though he was on injured reserve and not expected to play until the current summer. He concludes his NFL career with 87 receiving yards and two touchdowns, all recorded during his rookie season.
Polk played collegiately at Texas Tech and Washington, where he was a prominent receiver. In his final college season with Washington, he was a key player in their run to the national championship game, notably recording 122 yards and a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl against Texas. He shared the receiver room with Rome Odunze, who was drafted ninth overall in the same draft class.
Polk was selected before other notable 2024 draftees, including Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean and Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. The Patriots, who originally drafted Polk, traded back in the second round to select wide receiver Ladd McConkey.