NEW YORK — David Garrard is out of the New York Jets’ quarterback competition.
NEW YORK — David Garrard is out of the New York Jets’ quarterback competition.
A person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Garrard plans to retire because of lingering knee issues.
The 35-year-old Garrard was signed in March to provide veteran competition for Mark Sanchez. But Garrard, who hadn’t played in a regular-season game in the NFL since 2010 because of injuries, is planning to step away because of knee troubles.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither the team nor Garrard had officially announced the decision.
NFL Network first reported that Garrard planned to retire. SiriusXM Radio host Adam Schein said that Garrard told him in a text that he had to “call it quits” because “my knee is not holding up. Continuing to swell after practices. Limiting what I can do.”
The former Jacksonville Jaguars star was cut by the Miami Dolphins last summer after he needed arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left knee. Garrard was expected to be in the mix to compete for the Jets’ starting job along with Sanchez and second-round pick Geno Smith. New York, which cut Tim Tebow two weeks ago, also has Greg McElroy and Matt Simms on the roster.
Garrard was a fourth-round pick of Jacksonville in 2002 and became the team’s full-time starter in 2007. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2009 but was released before the 2011 season.
He has thrown for 16,003 yards in his career, with 89 touchdowns and 54 interceptions. Garrard also rushed for 17 touchdowns.