SAD NEWS: Tennessee Vols football player says he is retiring, details mental health struggles……
Jalen Hurd, former Tennessee football star, injured, retires from NFL week after signing
Tom Kreager, Nashville Tennessean
Jalen Hurd’s NFL comeback has ended a week after it started.
The former Tennessee running back announced his retirement on Tuesday according to the New England Patriots. Hurd, who was a wide receiver with the Patriots after signing one week earlier, suffered an undisclosed injury on Monday.
Hurd, 27, was a third-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 out of Baylor. Hurd, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound athlete, missed the 2019 and 2020 NFL seasons because of injuries and was placed on injured reserve in 2021.
Hurd starred at Beech High School in Hendersonville, a Nashville suburb, and set the TSSAA single-season rushing record with 3,357 yards in 2012 and helped the program win the Class 5A state championship.
He played three seasons with the Vols before transferring to Baylor. He ranks sixth all-time in rushing yards with 2,638 and also scored 20 touchdowns. He changed positions to wide receiver when he transferred to Baylor.
The Patriots claimed rookie wide receiver Thyrick Pitts off waivers from the Chicago Bears to replace Hurd.
Hurd made his NFL debut on Aug. 12 in a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. He had three receptions for 31 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 17-9 victory. However, his season was cut short because of a back injury, and he was put on injured reserve.
