Jaguars' Albert reportedly ending brief retirement

Offensive tackle Branden Albert reportedly told the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday that he will come back to training camp and reverse his decision to retire.

SiriusXM's Adam Caplan broke the story, which was then reported by multiple media outlets.

Albert initially announced his retirement on July 31 following three practices in training camp. He would owe Jacksonville $3.4 million in signing-bonus money if he stayed retired. He also is subject to fines of up to $40,000 per day for the time he was not with the team, according to NFL.com.

The Jaguars acquired Albert from the Miami Dolphins for a 2018 seventh-round pick in March. The Dolphins likely would have released Albert before Jacksonville showed interest in acquiring him.

Immediately after being obtained by the Jaguars, Albert requested a new contract, but the team declined to rework his pact, and the 32-year-old skipped offseason workouts.

Once training camp began, Albert was competing with rookie Cam Robinson for the starting left tackle positon. Albert worked with the first-team offense on the first day of camp, but Robinson practiced with the first-team offense in the next two practices.

Albert is under contract through the 2018 season. The Jaguars are slated to pay Albert $8.9 million this season and $9.6 million next season, though none of the money is guaranteed.

Albert is a two-time Pro Bowler (2013 and 2015) and has started 118 games in nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and Dolphins. He has missed 20 games in the last five seasons, including four last year.

Cowboys' Tony Romo retiring, replacing Phil Simms at CBS

By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) Tony Romo is retiring from the Dallas Cowboys to replace another former quarterback in Phil Simms as lead analyst for CBS.

The network announced Tuesday that Romo will be paired with Jim Nantz on Thursday night and Sunday games next season. The former 10-year starter considered multiple network offers while also deciding whether to keep playing after losing the Dallas job to rookie Dak Prescott last season.

The departure of the all-time passing leader has been expected since November, when Romo conceded the job after missing 10 weeks with a back injury. The Cowboys were in the middle of a franchise-record 11-game winning streak when Romo returned.

The Cowboys released Romo on Tuesday after delaying the decision to see they could generate interest in a trade, which also gave the married father of two with another child on the way more time to consider his future.

Vikings LB Chad Greenway officially announces retirement

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Minnesota Vikings LB Chad Greenway officially announced his retirement from the NFL at a press conference Tuesday at the Vikings Winter Park headquarters.

"I never took a day off. I never took the easy way out," Greenway said. "I started from nowhere, was able to achieve the highest standard of our profession."

Greenway, who ranks fourth in franchise history with 1,334 career tackles, played 11 seasons and appeared in 156 career games with 144 starts for the Vikings. Chosen with the 17th overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, Greenway was the first draft pick under the leadership of the Wilf family and ownership group. The Mount Vernon, South Dakota, native earned two Pro Bowl nods (2011 and 2012), was selected Second Team All-Pro by the Associated Press in 2012 and was voted the Vikings Defensive MVP three times (2010, 2012 and 2013) throughout his career. Greenway, who is tied with LB Scott Studwell for the most consecutive seasons leading the Vikings in tackles with six from 2008-2013, was named to the All-Mall of America Field Team in 2013, a recognition as one of the greatest Vikings to play in the Metrodome during its 32-year existence.

In addition to his stellar on-field career, Greenway solidified himself as a leader within the Minnesota community with his philanthropic endeavors and was named the Vikings Community Man of the Year in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016. In 2015, Greenway was named the Byron “Whizzer” White Award winner, a league-wide honor and the highest accolade bestowed by the NFL Players Association to the player who goes above and beyond to perform community service in their team city and hometown. Greenway created and operates the Lead The Way Foundation designed to enhance education and health opportunities for children and to enrich the lives of individuals and families in need. Established in 2008, the Lead The Way Foundation has positively impacted numerous families throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

In 2007, the former Iowa Hawkeye was named the club’s Ed Block Courage Award winner for his dedication and effort coming back from a season-ending knee injury suffered as a rookie in 2006. Greenway also received the Korey Stringer Good Guy Award in 2012, an honor given annually by members of the Twin Cities media.

Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. announces retirement

Baltimore Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. publicly announced on Friday that he is retiring from the National Football League.

"This is to notify you that as of today I, Steve Smith Sr., will no longer be antagonizing defensive backs," Smith said in a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Jan. 2. "I am retiring from the national football league."

Smith spent 16 years in the NFL with the Ravens and th Carolina Panthers. In 219 career gamss, he has 1,031 REC and 14,731 Rush YDS. He has 81 career TDs with a longest rush of 80 yarda. He made 14 fumbles in his NFL career.

Smith started his playing days in Baltimore at the start of the 2014 season after spending the first 13 seasons of his career with Carolina.

Former Giants, Cardinals and Bears Safety Antrel Rolle announces retirement

Antrel Rolle, a three-time Pro Bowl safety and Super Bowl champion, announced on Monday that he is retiring from the NFL.

"I'm at peace," Rolle said. "I'm at total peace. You know, like I said, going out, you're 33 years old going on injured reserve last year, that's going to scare a lot of teams away. I understand how the business works and I'm fine with that either way."

Rolle finished his career with 834 tackles, four sacks, eight forced fumbles, 69 broken up passes, 26 interceptions and five defensive touchdowns. He made his first Pro Bowl during his final season in Arizona, and two more during a four-year stint with the Giants.

Rolle played seven games in 2015 with the Chicago Bears until a sprained ACL.

Titans WR Andre Johnson retires from NFL

Tennessee Titans WR Andre Johnson is retiring on Monday, reports ESPN NFL Analyst Adam Scheffer, and later informed to the Titans by Johnson.

“Going back to his days at the University of Miami, Andre was one of the most impressive wide receivers I’ve scouted,” Titans General Manager Jon Robinson said in a statement. “He had a professional approach to the game both on and off the field and in my opinion is one of the best to have played the game. I enjoyed getting to know and work with him in his time with our team. He certainly contributed to this team – making the game-winning catch at Detroit and his daily interaction with the young wide receivers. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward in whatever endeavors he chooses.”

Johnson spent his first 12 NFL seasons with the Houston Texans before playing last season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he had 41 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns.

A seven-time Pro Bowler, Johnson had 1,012 receptions for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns with the Texans, all of which are tops in franchise history.

Johnson finishes his career with 1,062 catches for 14,185 yards and 70 touchdowns. Johnson posted seven 1,000-yard seasons and four seasons with at least 1,400 yards receiving.

4-time Pro Bowl RB Arian Foster announces his retirement

MIAMI (AP) — Four-time Pro Bowler Arian Foster says he can no longer take the punishment an NFL running back endures, so he is retiring midway through an injury-plagued season with the Miami Dolphins.

Foster, 30, tried to come back from a torn Achilles tendon, but was slowed this season by groin and hamstring injuries. He announced his retirement Monday on the website Uninterrupted as the Dolphins began their bye week.

The team confirmed the decision, effective immediately.

"There comes a time in every athlete's career when their ambition and their body are no longer on the same page," Foster wrote. "I've reached that point. It's hard to write those words because this game has been everything to me ... my therapy, my joy, my solace and my enemy."

Foster signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Dolphins in July after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Houston Texans. He holds the Texans' franchise record with 6,472 yards rushing.

This season he rushed for 55 yards on 22 carries, and he had 5 yards on three carries Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

"My father always said, 'You'll know when it's time to walk away,'" he wrote. "It has never been more clear than right now. I'm walking away with peace. I know it's not commonplace to do it midseason, but my body just can't take the punishment this game asks for any longer."

Foster was one of several Miami players this season to kneel during the pregame national anthem to protest social inequality. His playing time was curtailed with the emergence of Jay Ajayi, who tied an NFL record by surpassing 200 yards rushing in consecutive games.

Since 2010, Foster ranked second in the NFL with 115.2 yards from scrimmage per game, trailing only Le'Veon Bell's 121.9.

"No words to describe the appreciation and love I got for Arian Foster," former Texans offensive lineman Chris Myers tweeted. "Playing center for a player like him makes a career seem like a dream!"

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This story has been corrected to show the announcement was made on Uninterrupted.

Eugene Monroe announces retirement from NFL

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Free agent offensive tackle Eugene Monroe on Thursday announced his plans to retire from the NFL.

“I’m only 29 and I still have the physical ability to play at a very high level, so I know that my decision to retire may be puzzling to some. But I am thinking of my family first right now — and my health and my future,” Monroe writes in the Players’ Tribune. “The last 18 years have been full of traumatic injuries to both my head and my body. I’m not complaining, just stating a fact. Has the damage to my brain already been done? Do I have CTE? I hope I don’t, but over 90% of the brains of former NFL players that have been examined showed signs of the disease. I am terrified.”

Monroe, 29, was released by theBaltimore Ravens in June. The New York Giants reportedly showed interest in him, as did a few other teams.

Monroe started only 17 games in two seasons since receiving $17.5 million in guaranteed money as part of the five-year, $37.5 million deal he signed with the Ravens in 2014. He missed time because of four injuries since the start of the 2014 season: knee (four games), ankle (three), concussion (three) and shoulder (two).

Wide Receiver Ricardo Lockette Announces Retirement

Statement from the Seahawks website.

Ricardo Lockette is retiring from the NFL after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Lockette, who first came to Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2011, suffered a serious neck injury in Seattle’s win at Dallas last November.

Lockette signed with the Seahawks as a raw, speedy receiver out of Fort Valley State—he won an NCAA Division II national championship in the 200-meter dash—and after spending most of his first season on the practice squad, he made a splash late in the year, catching two passes for 105 yards in the final two games of the season, including a 61-yard touchdown.

After spending 2012 on San Francisco’s practice squad, Lockette returned to Seattle in 2013, and over the next three seasons he established himself as a fan favorite with his speed and big hits on special teams. In 2013 with Lockette serving as one of Seattle’s gunners, the Seahawks allowed just 82 punt return yards all season, the sixth-lowest total in a 16-game season in NFL history.

In 34 career games, Lockette had 22 catches for 451 yards and four touchdowns, while tallying 11 tackles and two forced fumbles on special teams. One of Lockette’s most memorable plays, however, did not show up on the stat sheet, but his blocking on Marshawn Lynch’s 79-yard touchdown run at Arizona in 2014 was the perfect example of the things that helped Lockette make his mark: speed, toughness and effort.

As Lynch broke through the line of scrimmage, Lockette met Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson in the middle of the field about 10 yards from the line of scrimmage to help spring Lynch for a big gain. Lockette then caught up to the play on the sideline to block Johnson a second time, also giving Patrick Peterson a solid shove for good measure as Lynch continued downfield, and then just as Lynch was approaching the end zone, Lockette caught up to the play one more time to block Antonio Cromartie.

“Fantastic,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said following that 2014 win at Arizona. “The effort that he gave, I think that’s a microcosm of a lot our guys and the effort that they’re willing to go to, and the strain. We talk about that strain and finish all the time—it was cool. You see him off the (sideline), standing out of bounds, hitting those two guys and he still sprinted and caught up with Marshawn again and was able to knock that guy off at the end of that play. It was just a great effort by him.”

Multiple reports: Harvin decides to retire

From the Bills website.

He had been contemplating it for some time as a persistent hip injury proved stubborn in cooperating. But now according to multiple reports WR Percy Harvin has made the decision to retire from football.

That according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Pro Football Talk.

Percy Harvin told the Bills he is retiring, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2016

Percy Harvin

The Bills were interested in bringing Harvin back into the fold for their 2016 season, but the receiver was on the fence about continuing his playing career.

Harvin’s decision was a difficult one knowing careers typically do not end at the age of 27. But the wide receiver’s body simply would not allow him to endure the rigors and demands of the NFL game. He appeared in just five games for the Bills last season before his hip injury sent him to the sidelines for the remainder of the season.

The receiver tried everything to manage his hip injury from taking days off from practice to platelet rich plasma injections to promote faster healing. None of it proved effective and Harvin apparently determined he did not want to try to make a go of it and try to reboot his career in 2016.

Statement from Calvin Johnson

Statement from Calvin Johnson on his retirement. From the Lions' website.

“Let me begin by apologizing for making this announcement via a statement and not in person. While I truly respect the significance of this, those who know me best will understand and not be surprised that I choose not to have a press conference for this announcement. 

“After much prayer, thought and discussion with loved ones, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the Lions and pro football. I have played my last game of football.

“Let me assure you that this was not an easy or hasty decision. As I stated, I, along with those closest to me, have put a lot of time, deliberation and prayer into this decision and I truly am at peace with it. 

“I also want you to know that I have the utmost respect and admiration for the game of football. It has provided so much for me and my family and I will be forever grateful to the game.

“With the reality of my decision, I realize there are a lot of people I would like to thank. I must start with my family – thank you for all your love and support.

“I also want to especially thank Mrs. Ford and the Ford Family for all their support over the years. They are tremendous owners and I loved playing for them. I would also like to recognize Mr. Ford, who I was honored to know and play for before he passed away.

“While it would be hard to name them all, I would also like to thank all of my teammates past and present.

“I also want to thank all of my coaches who I played for, in particular Coach Caldwell for his support, wisdom and guidance over the past two seasons. I loved playing for Coach Caldwell. 

“There are so many other people I would like to recognize and thank for what they have done for me throughout my career, but rather than risk forgetting someone, I will simply say “thanks” to everyone.

“And finally, to the fans of Detroit and Michigan. I so appreciated your passionate support over the years and truly enjoyed playing for you. I loved playing in Detroit and will forever be a Lion. My biggest regret is that I wasn’t able to help give our fans a championship. But I do believe the future of the Lions is bright and with the leadership from people like Rod Wood and Bob Quinn, who I have gotten to know over the past few months, I am confident that our fans will soon be rewarded with the championship you deserve. 

“From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for everything.”

Manning to announce retirement on Monday

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Super Bowl 50 was definitely Peyton Manning's "last rodeo," as he told Bill Belichick after Manning's Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game two weeks before the big name.

The Broncos announced Sunday that Manning will announce his retirement in a press conference provided by the Broncos.

The press conference will be at at 1pm ET on Monday in a press conference presented by the Broncos.

Steelers TE Heath Miller retires from NFL

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Heath Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Heath Miller announced his retirement from the NFL today after 11 seasons.

Statement from the Steelers website:

Miller played 11 seasons for the Steelers (2005-15) after originally being selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (30thoverall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He started 167-of-168 games played during the regular season, and he started all 15 postseason contests that he played in. Miller’s 168 regular-season games played are the most by a tight end in Steelers’ history. 

In team history, Miller is the all-time leader in receptions (592), receiving yards (6,569) and receiving touchdowns (45) by a tight end. Overall, he ranks second in career receptions, fourth in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and sixth in scrimmage yards (6,577) in Steelers’ annals. Miller is one of four players to record 500 receptions, one of five players to record 6,000 receiving yards and one of five players to record 40 receiving touchdowns in team history. 

Miller is one of 12 tight ends in NFL history to reach 6,000 career receiving yards, and at the conclusion of the 2015 season, his 592 receptions are the sixth-most in NFL history by a tight end, and his 6,569 career receiving yards are the ninth-most in NFL history by a tight end.

In 2015, Miller recorded 500 receiving yards for the ninth straight season to become just the second player in team history to accomplish that feat (Hines Ward). Also in 2015, he became just the second player in team history (Ward) to record at least one reception in 100 straight regular-season games played (Miller, 103). 

A two-time Super Bowl Champion (XL and XLIII), Miller was also a two-time Pro Bowler (2009 and 2012). He earned Steelers’ MVP honors for the 2012 season, as he led Pittsburgh with 71 receptions, while registering single-season career-highs in receiving yards (816) and receiving touchdowns (8). Miller was also named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team following the 2008 season for his unsung efforts. As a rookie, he was the recipient of the 2005 Joe Greene Great Performance Award, given annually to the top Steelers’ rookie.

Panthers DE Jared Allen announces retirement from Football

Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.

I want to take this time to thank my family, friends, fans and teammates who have given their continued support...
Posted by Jared Allen on Thursday, February 18, 2016

"I just want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career,'' Allen said in the video above. "This is the part where I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing how there is no sunset, I'm just going to ride off."

Allen played in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos with a broken right foot suffered in a divisional playoff win against the Seattle Seahawks.

Allen's retirement means Kony Ealy likely will get the starting right end position for the Panthers.

Justin Tuck announces retirement from NFL

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

NFL player Justin Tuck has announced his retirement from the game of football. Tuck made the announcement in a Facebook post that we have shared below.

After months of praying and careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the game of football. I've had 11 great...
Posted by Justin Tuck on Monday, February 1, 2016

We wish Justin Tuck the best wherever his life takes him, and wherever the future leads.