Astrass
10-19-2007, 01:55 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3070512&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines
The latest physical setback for Denver Broncos veteran tight end Stephen Alexander, whose promising time in the NFL has been marred by injuries, likely will end his career.
Alexander
Alexander, who has not played this season since suffering a broken left fibula in the Broncos' final preseason game, has been placed on injured reserve. The season-ending move came after Alexander was kicked in the leg during practice earlier this week, compounding his rehabilitation from the initial injury.
The 10-year veteran, who was in his third season with the Broncos, acknowledged that this is probably the end of the line for him.
"Honestly, I just don't plan on playing anymore," Alexander told the Denver Post. "If this is the end, which it more than likely will be, I'm fine with it."
Alexander, 31, is in the final year of his contract with the Broncos, and it is not likely that the team will attempt to re-sign him in the offseason. Given his age and injury history, the likelihood is that Alexander will retire.
A former Oklahoma standout and a second-round pick of the Washington Redskins in 1998, Alexander was regarded early in his career as one of the best deep-threat tight ends in the NFL. A gifted receiver and route runner who was capable of splitting the safeties deep up the field, he had his best season in 2000 as a Redskin, when he had 47 catches for 570 yards and two touchdowns.
But a series of injuries forced Alexander to miss significant playing time early in his career and also robbed him of his speed.
Ironically, before the injury this summer, Alexander has been able to play all 16 games in each of the past three seasons. In 118 games, he has 247 catches for 2,519 yards and 14 touchdowns with Washington (1998-2001), San Diego (2002-2003), Detroit (2004) and Denver (2005-2007).
He was a starter for the Broncos in 29 of 32 games during the 2005-2006 seasons, and had 39 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
To replace Alexander on the roster, the Broncos re-signed tight end/offensive tackle Chad Mustard, who had been with Denver earlier this season.
The latest physical setback for Denver Broncos veteran tight end Stephen Alexander, whose promising time in the NFL has been marred by injuries, likely will end his career.
Alexander
Alexander, who has not played this season since suffering a broken left fibula in the Broncos' final preseason game, has been placed on injured reserve. The season-ending move came after Alexander was kicked in the leg during practice earlier this week, compounding his rehabilitation from the initial injury.
The 10-year veteran, who was in his third season with the Broncos, acknowledged that this is probably the end of the line for him.
"Honestly, I just don't plan on playing anymore," Alexander told the Denver Post. "If this is the end, which it more than likely will be, I'm fine with it."
Alexander, 31, is in the final year of his contract with the Broncos, and it is not likely that the team will attempt to re-sign him in the offseason. Given his age and injury history, the likelihood is that Alexander will retire.
A former Oklahoma standout and a second-round pick of the Washington Redskins in 1998, Alexander was regarded early in his career as one of the best deep-threat tight ends in the NFL. A gifted receiver and route runner who was capable of splitting the safeties deep up the field, he had his best season in 2000 as a Redskin, when he had 47 catches for 570 yards and two touchdowns.
But a series of injuries forced Alexander to miss significant playing time early in his career and also robbed him of his speed.
Ironically, before the injury this summer, Alexander has been able to play all 16 games in each of the past three seasons. In 118 games, he has 247 catches for 2,519 yards and 14 touchdowns with Washington (1998-2001), San Diego (2002-2003), Detroit (2004) and Denver (2005-2007).
He was a starter for the Broncos in 29 of 32 games during the 2005-2006 seasons, and had 39 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
To replace Alexander on the roster, the Broncos re-signed tight end/offensive tackle Chad Mustard, who had been with Denver earlier this season.