Cardinals’ Travis Vokolek retires at age 28 because of neck injury - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com reported that Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek has retired from the NFL at age 28 after being advised by medical specialists to end his playing career because of a neck injury. The report, published July 23, said the injury occurred last season when Vokolek was involved in a collision while blocking on a kickoff and had to be removed from the field on a stretcher.

According to NBCSports.com, Vokolek announced the decision on social media, saying he had undergone multiple consultations with doctors and neurologists in recent months before being told to medically retire. In his statement, he expressed appreciation for the chance to play professionally, thanked teammates, coaches, trainers and the Cardinals’ training staff, and credited his wife for supporting him through the demands and uncertainty of his NFL career.

Vokolek entered the league in 2023 as an undrafted rookie with the Baltimore Ravens. NBCSports.com noted that he spent most of that season on Baltimore’s practice squad before joining Arizona’s active roster late in 2023, remaining with the Cardinals through last season.

The retirement ends a brief NFL career shaped by roster movement and a significant injury. While the article did not provide additional medical details, neck injuries are treated with particular caution in football because of the potential long-term consequences for player health and safety.