Clemson star WR Justyn Ross out for season, needs surgery Friday

Clemson star wide receiver Justyn Ross will miss the entire 2020 college football season and is headed for surgery on Friday.

Justyn Ross born with ‘congenital fusion’ and needs surgery

Speaking with reporters Monday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced Ross will have season-ending surgery. Earlier this spring after he suffered an injury, he learned he was born with congenital fusion.

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

Per Swinney, doctors are concerned.

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

Congenital fusion is “is a rare anomaly,” per Reviews in Clinical Medicine. “In this condition, two fused vertebrae appear structurally and functionally as one.”

Swinney said that Ross can “hopefully” be recovered by January and that he’s “doing great.” He also said that Ross has “a decision to make” about whether to stay at Clemson for another season or declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Dabo Swinney on star WR Justyn Ross being out for the year: "He can hopefully by January, he's doing great. He's got a decision to make." Does he play at Clemson another year or take a shot at the combine. Dabo compares circumstances to Mike Williams at Clemson.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 1, 2020

Justyn Ross could be a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

Barring medical concerns, Ross could easily be a very early 2021 NFL Draft selection. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound receiver is an exceptionally talented player who is known for making jaw-dropping plays on a regular basis (like this).

The past two seasons playing for the Tigers, Ross caught 112 passes for 1,865 yards and 17 touchdowns.