Las Vegas Raiders LB Blake Martinez retires from soccer

HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Blake Martinez, who joined the workforce simply over a month in the past, introduced his retirement on social media Thursday.

Martinez, 28, introduced his determination 4 days after main the Raiders with 11 tackles on this previous Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I had an incredible journey with some unimaginable franchises, and made lifelong friendships,” Martinez wrote on Instagram. “I’ve chosen to step away from this profession presently to deal with my household and future passions! I’m excited for this new journey and admire all of the followers and organizations which have supported me all through the years!”

Martinez missed observe on Wednesday for what the Raiders described as private causes. The workforce tweeted congratulations to Martinez, including, “Good luck in your new journey.”

Martinez’s retirement comes within the wake of the Raiders (2-6) inserting a pair of Professional Bowl go catchers — tight finish Darren Waller and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow — on injured reserve, and leaves Las Vegas short-handed at linebacker heading into Sunday’s house sport towards the Indianapolis Colts.

The Raiders positioned linebacker Divine Deablo (forearm) on IR on Monday, and Professional Bowler Denzel Perryman didn’t observe Wednesday resulting from hip and ribs accidents whereas Darien Butler was restricted with a hip damage. Jayon Brown has not performed since Week 4 resulting from a hamstring concern. The Raiders additionally waived robust security Johnathan Abram, a first-round decide in 2019, on Tuesday.

Martinez was a fourth-round decide of the Inexperienced Bay Packers in 2016 and spent the earlier two seasons with the New York Giants earlier than signing with the Raiders on Oct. 4. He began two of 4 video games for Las Vegas and had 20 tackles, together with 14 solo. In 84 profession video games, 78 begins, he had 13 profession sacks and 4 interceptions.

Martinez, who had a base wage of $1.035 million, is also an avid Pokémon card collector and, in keeping with a New York Submit report final week, he offered a uncommon Illustrator Pikachu card often called “The Swirlustrator” from 1998 for $672,000, which might be the second-most costly Pokémon card ever offered. The cardboard had reportedly been valued for as a lot as $1.5 million a number of weeks prior.