Dolphins TE Jordan Cameron retires at age 28 due to history of concussions

Miami Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron is retiring from the NFL after dealing with multiple concussions, he told ESPN. He’s 28 years old.

Cameron was diagnosed with four concussions in four years before deciding to hang it up. His most recent head injury came on Sept. 25 against the Cleveland Browns. The Dolphins have been concerned about his long-term health for months, according to the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero.

“If I didn’t get concussions, I’d probably keep playing,” Cameron told ESPN’s Pat McManamon. “It’s one of those things. I can’t risk my mental health in the future. I don’t have any symptoms now. I’m perfectly fine. But they can’t tell me with 100 percent certainty that if I keep playing and I get more concussions, that I’m going to be OK.”

The 2016 season was Cameron’s second year in Miami. He played in all 16 games last year for the first time in his career, catching 35 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns. He spent his previous four seasons in Cleveland, where he caught 130 passes for 10 scores.

It’s not a surprise that Cameron is retiring early, given the heightened awareness around concussions and brain trauma. The 2011 fourth-round pick becomes the latest player to retire while he’s still in the prime of his career. Over the last two offseasons. Calvin Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Patrick Willis, rookie linebacker Chris Borland, and several other stars have walked away in their 20’s and 30’s.