D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s fascinating NFL career is ending.
Ferguson is retiring Friday after a 10-year career with the New York Jets in which he missed only one snap, league sources told ESPN.com. The 32-year-old offensive tackle started 167 consecutive games (including playoffs) from the time he entered the league as the fourth overall pick in 2006.
Amazingly, Ferguson also never missed a practice and never appeared on an injury report, according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. The only snap Ferguson missed in his decade-long career was a trick play in which New York’s entire offensive line was removed.
Ferguson is the only offensive lineman to start all 160 regular-season games since 2006. He’s also one of just three players at any position to start all 160 regular-season games in that span, joining New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.
Although Ferguson hasn’t confirmed the news, sources told Cimini that the three-time Pro Bowl selection has decided to retire because he no longer feels he can play up to his usual standard.
Ferguson’s departure frees up $9 million in cap room for the Jets, according to Cimini.
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
