Ja’Lynn Polk, former Washington Huskies standout, retires from NFL, per reports

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, a former Husky, is stepping away from football.

On Sunday, the Saints placed the 24-year-old on the reserve/retired list, via multiple reports.

A second-round draft pick in 2024 out of Washington, Polk spent his rookie season with the New England Patriots, playing in 15 games. He was traded to the Saints last season but didn’t take a snap with them due to a shoulder injury.

New Orleans traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Patriots, receiving Polk and a 2028 seventh-round pick in return.

Polk had been participating in training camp but was reportedly excused from the past two practices. When speaking to reporters Sunday, Saints coach Kellen Moore cited “personal things” for Polk’s absence.

It’s unclear why Polk decided to walk away ahead of his third year in the league. Polk probably would not have been a starter, with receivers like Chris Olave and rookie Jordyn Tyson sitting at the top of the depth chart, but he would have likely been a part of the rotation.

Polk played three seasons with the Huskies after starting his college career at Texas Tech. He finished 2023, his final college season, with 69 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns as UW reached the College Football Playoff title game.