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Jets' Offensive Lineman Alex Lewis Suddenly Retires From NFL

New York Jets offensive lineman Alex Lewis has retired from the NFL. Lewis sustained a head injury in training camp, landing on the exempt left squad list

Max Goodman

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jets guard Alex Lewis has decided to retire from the NFL, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Lewis, 29, landed on the exempt/left squad list earlier this month, exiting a training camp practice after suffering a head injury. 

This comes after some drama during last year's tumultuous two-win season in green and white. Lewis played in just nine games, missing time on the non-football injury list after some contentious moments with teammates and coaches—namely former head coach Adam Gase—resulted in the guard leaving the team to seek medical help.

Lewis returned this season on a reworked deal, poised to provide some depth on the offensive line. With New York drafting Alijah Vera-Tucker in the first round, all signs pointed to Lewis serving as his backup up front. 

Asked earlier this month about Lewis' status heading into the preseason, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said the veteran is "going through some things that are much greater than football right now."

"We’re just giving him a chance to sort through it all," Saleh added. "That’s about as detailed as I’ll go right now for him."

There's a chance Lewis could regroup and attempt a comeback in 2022, but according to Cimini, "it remains to be seen whether he has any desire to play again."

Lewis made 39 starts over four NFL seasons, playing in a total of 44 games for the Ravens and Jets. He was drafted in the fourth round by Baltimore in 2016.

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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