Former UW Huskies standout Ja’Lynn Polk retires from NFL

Former UW Huskies standout wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk has retired from the NFL after just two seasons.

Top returning UW Huskies RB unlikely to play in 2026, per report

The New Orleans Saints placed Polk on the reserve/retired list Sunday, marking the end of a brief career for the 2024 second-round draft pick who missed all last season with a right shoulder injury.

Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill reported on social media that Polk was “healthy and happy with his role” in New Orleans but “decided the best path forward for himself was to step away.”

The 24-year-old Polk began his college career at Texas Tech where he spent one season before transferring to UW in 2021. After seeing limited action with five catches for 114 yards and one TD in three games in ’21, Polk broke out the next season and became a key piece of the Huskies’ high-octane aerial attack while playing alongside fellow standout receivers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan.

The Lufkin, Texas, native hauled in 41 receptions for 694 yards and six TDs during his breakout 2022 campaign for an 11-win Huskies squad that beat Texas in the Alamo Bowl.

POLK puts our Dawgs ⬆️ @jpolk_22

📺: @ESPN
📲: https://t.co/wbo3k3M6Kb #NoLimits #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/NdvVk9etOq

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 27, 2022

In 2023, Polk’s production saw another jump as McMillan missed time with a knee injury suffered early in the season. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Polk posted career highs across the board with 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns, adding another 32 yards and a TD on four carries. He eclipsed 100 receiving yards seven times while helping the Huskies reach the national title game, including six times in UW’s first eight games and in its College Football Playoff semifinal win over Texas.

The New England Patriots selected Polk No. 37 overall in 2024, but he struggled to produce and saw his playing time dwindle as the season went on. He finished the year with 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two TDs while appearing in 15 games.

Polk suffered the season-ending right shoulder injury during the 2025 preseason and was traded to New Orleans last September.

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