Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, the No. 37 overall pick for the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft who was traded to the Saints in the 2025 season, has retired from the league at age 24.
The wideout was placed on the reserve/retired list on Aug. 2, according to the official league transaction wire.
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Polk was selected in the second round of the draft out of the University of Washington and had a non-productive NFL career. Playing in just 15 games during his rookie season, Polk snagged 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
A shoulder injury ahead of the 2025 season would end it before it began, and the Patriots would later trade Polk to the New Orleans Saints for a conditional 2027 draft pick, where he would suit up in training camp for the team.
Given his production, the receiver was considered a longshot to make the team out of training camp.
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Notably, the former Huskies wideout played a big hand in Washington making it to the 2024 national championship, securing five catches for 122 yards in its College Football Playoff semifinal win over Texas. Washington would go on to lose to Michigan in the national championship game.
In the championship game, he caught four passes for 37 yards.
Polk hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since the 2024 season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ja’Lynn Polk, 2024 second-round pick, abruptly retires at 24 years old
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