24-year-old wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk retires after brief NFL stint
Saints wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round draft pick, announced his retirement at age 24, ending a career that included 87 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The New Orleans Saints placed wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list on Sunday, ending his NFL career after just one season. Polk, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2024 draft (No. 37 overall), had been traded to New Orleans last September while on season-ending injured reserve. He participated in the Saints’ training camp but was excused from practice on Friday and Sunday for personal reasons.
"Polk was excused from Friday and Sunday’s practice due to ‘personal things,’" Saints coach Kellen Moore said.
Polk, a former Texas Tech and Washington player, finished his professional tenure with 87 receiving yards and two touchdowns, both recorded during his rookie year with the Patriots. He had hoped to compete for the fourth receiver spot behind Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson and Devaughn Vele, but announced his retirement before the regular season began.
The move follows a series of draft selections that saw the Patriots trade back from the No. 34 pick, which was used to select wide receiver Ladd McConkey, while other notable draftees such as Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean and Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper entered the league.