The Kansas City Chiefs are focused on their matchup this Sunday against the Denver Broncos, but on Friday learned the fate of one of their young receivers.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross will be held out of practice Friday and moving forward due to being placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list. The ruling was handed down from the league office shortly before the final team practice before the Chiefs travel to Denver.
“NFL placed Chiefs’ WR Justyn Ross on the Commissioner Exempt List today following his arrest Monday for misdemeanor domestic battery and misdemeanor property damage.” posted Schefter. “He pleaded not guilty to both charges.”
News now: NFL placed Chiefs’ WR Justyn Ross on the Commissioner Exempt List today following his arrest Monday for misdemeanor domestic battery and misdemeanor property damage. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2023
While on the commissioner’s exempt list, a player continues to be paid as an active roster member but doesn’t count against his team’s 53-man limit. The player on the exempt list is not barred from practice or attending games but can be present at the facility for meetings, to work out, and to meet with trainers for treatment.
Only Commissioner Roger Goodell can place a player on the Exempt List; Teams don’t have authority. According to NFL.com, “The Commissioner also has the authority to determine in advance whether a player’s time on the Exempt List will be finite or will continue until the Commissioner deems the exemption should be lifted, and the player returned to the Active List.”