Jaguars place disgruntled Albert on reserve/retired list

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars placed left tackle Branden Albert on the reserve/retired list Tuesday, essentially ending his brief and baffling tenure with the team.

The Jaguars said they made the designation four days after Albert approached team officials “about the opportunity to return to the NFL at a later date.”

Asked about it, executive vice-president of player personnel Tom Coughlin said, “Reserve/retired.”

“That’s it,” he said. “That’s all I have to say about it. There’s nothing really to say: Reserve/retired.”

Asked again what would happen if Albert tried to come back, Coughlin said, “We’ll cross that bridge when it comes.”

Placing Albert on the reserve/retired list means his contract is paused, and the Jaguars retain his rights. Albert was scheduled to make US$8.8 million this season and US$9.5 million in 2018.

For Albert to play elsewhere in 2017, Jacksonville would have to waive him. Other teams would then get a chance to pick up his contract.

The 32-year-old Albert surprised coach Doug Marrone last week by telling him he planned to retire. Albert quit after three training camp practices in which he looked out of shape and past his prime.

It was never clear why Albert chose to walk away, but it appears he doesn’t want to play in Jacksonville.