Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

JAGUARS Albert retires

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JACKSONVIL­LE, Fla. — Jacksonvil­le Jaguars left tackle Branden Albert abruptly retired Monday, ending his NFL career after nine seasons and two Pro Bowls.

Albert called it quits after three training camp practices and a brief discussion with Jaguars Coach Doug Marrone.

“He came in and told me that he was talking about retirement,” Marrone said. “And then my mind goes on to the next thing, like, ‘OK, we’ve got to get ready for practice.’ ”

Albert is the fifth NFL player to retire in the past week, following New England defensive end Rob Ninkovich, Baltimore offensive lineman John Urschel, New England receiver Andrew Hawkins and Denver safety David Bruton Jr.

The Jaguars acquired Albert, 32, in a trade with the Miami Dolphins in March, giving up a seventh-round draft pick in 2018 that Jacksonvil­le now gets back because Albert failed to be on the 53-man roster for at least three regular-season games.

Albert skipped most of Jacksonvil­le’s offseason program because he wanted a new contract. He was scheduled to make $8.8 million in 2017 and $9.5 million in 2018.

He reported for training camp last week and spent the first three days of practice splitting first-team repetition­s with rookie Cam Robinson, a second-round draft pick from Alabama who now likely will get the job by default.

Albert played in college at Virginia and was the 15th overall pick by Kansas City in 2008. He spent his first six seasons with the Chiefs and then signed a fiveyear, $47 million deal with the Dolphins in 2014. He made the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2015. Albert started 118 of 120 career games.

Albert missed 20 games over the last five seasons, including seven in 2014 because of a knee injury. Albert bounced back the next year and was honored with Miami’s Ed Block Courage Award.

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