Fitzgerald remains mum on retirement

Someday, obviously, Larry Fitzgerald will play in his last NFL game. Whether that game is Sunday, when his beleaguered Cardinals face the Seahawks in Seattle, is anybody’s guess.

And don’t expect any hints from him. He doesn’t like to talk about it.

“I haven’t even thought about it,” Fitzgerald said after the Cardinals practiced Thursday. “I’m just focused on trying to get this win in Seattle.”

The week before, he’d said, rather impatiently, “You know me. I’ve been answering for the last three years. Nothing’s going to change,” he said. “If I decide to retire, I’ll let you guys know . ... So, I don’t understand why we keep asking these questions.”

The answer would be because he’s 35, played 15 seasons in the NFL and has accumulated statistics that place him among the best to play the game.

Fitzgerald seems physically capable of continuing beyond this season.

“I believe from an ability standpoint there’s very few people that can do what Larry does,” Cardinals offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said.

“That’s just honest. When the ball comes in his direction, when it’s time to make the play, he’s one of the best to ever do it.”

Fitzgerald is remarkably durable. He’s caught a pass in 226 consecutive games. Sunday will mark his 234th NFL game, all with the Cardinals, tying the franchise record set by kicker Jim Bakken, who played from 1962-78.

With 14 yards receiving, he’ll top 2,000 yards receiving against the Seahawks. Fitzgerald’s already topped that mark against the Rams and 49ers, so he would join Jerry Rice as the only receivers to accomplish that feat against three teams.

Now, though, he finds himself on a 3-12 team that ranks last in the NFL in offense with a rookie quarterback in Josh Rosen and all the inconsistencies that brings. Fitzgerald has 65 catches for 698 yards and five touchdowns. Decent stats for anyone else, but in the previous three years, Fitzgerald caught 109, 107 and 109 passes.

So why keep playing? In terms of wins and losses, this will be the worst record of any of his 15 Cardinals teams, no matter what happens Sunday in Seattle.

Yet he said he still loves his job.

“I can’t think of anything I don’t like about it,” he said. “The grind is great, man.”

Brown sits again: All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown missed practice for a second straight day because of a knee issue, making his status unclear for Sunday’s game against the Bengals.

The Steelers (8-6-1) are a half-game back in the AFC North race and need help from the Browns, who travel to Baltimore to play the division-leading Ravens, to make the playoffs.

Running back James Conner practiced for a second straight day after missing the last three games with a high ankle sprain, but his status also is unclear.

Watson to retire: Saints tight end Ben Watson announced that he will retire after the end of the season.

Watson, who turned 38 this month and is in his 14th season, has 5,856 yards and 44 TDs in his career.