INDIANAPOLIS – Immediately following a demoralizing 20-3 AFC divisional playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, a somber Ed Reed revealed that he’s contemplating retirement.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year intercepted Colts star quarterback Peyton Manning in the third quarter, but lost a key fumble on his return as Pierre Garcon punched the football out from behind.
The Baltimore Ravens’ star safety has been battling several injuries, including a nerve impingement that has plagued him for the past few years.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Reed said. “It kind of hit me on the sideline. It hit me right now because I don’t know how much I’m going to be able to have going forward. It will be a long offseason just thinking about it. It hurts just thinking about it.”
Reed said that it’s a “50-50” proposition on whether he’ll return.
Selected to six Pro Bowls with seven interceptions returned for touchdowns, Reed is a dynamic,impactful defensive player whose instincts and hands are practically unmatched in the NFL.
He’s also dealing with durability concerns that sidelined him for four games this year with a strained groin. He also dealt with a foot injury.
“It’s my decision at the end of the day to play with injuries,” Reed said. “I take good advice from my doctors. It’s been great up to this point, fighting through. I wanted to battle this year even with the injuries I had last year and the injuries I had this year.
“There were no excuses coming into this season about injuries. That’s why I was never frustrated when I injured my groin. Injuries come, especially at this point in my career. You fight through. You lose like this, it’s hard to lay down.“
The nerve impingement causes him a lot of pain, limits his tackling and has prompted him to consult with several specialists around the country.
“I’ve got great doctors that I deal with, so we’ll see,” Reed said. “I’ll re-evaluate things in the next couple days. .. At the end of the day, you have to think about family. I have a family now. We shall see.”
Reed said that he’s not going to make a rash choice about his future.
“There’s too many emotions flying around right now to make a decision,” he said. “You’ll know soon.”
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Pierre Garcon is going to make a lot of NFL defenders consider retirement.
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Pierre Garcon is going to make a lot of NFL defenders consider retirement.