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Jaguars Place LT Branden Albert on Reserve/Retired List Amid Talk of Comeback

Branden Albert’s retirement lasted just a week. 
Jaguars Place LT Branden Albert on Reserve/Retired List Amid Talk of Comeback
Jaguars Place LT Branden Albert on Reserve/Retired List Amid Talk of Comeback

Jaguars left tackle Branden Albert has decided not to retire and will report to training camp, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Caplan was first to report the news

The team has placed Albert on the reserve/retired list, executive VP of football operations Tom Coughlin told reporters Tuesday. He had been on the exempt/left team list after informing the team last week that he intended to retire but could only stay on that list for five days. 

“Reserve/retired. That’s it,” Coughlin said. “That’s all I have to say about it. There’s nothing really to say.”

The reserve/retired designation allows the Jaguars to retain Albert’s rights if he elects to come back. Albert could also decide to resume playing and be waived by the Jaguars. He is unlikely to play for Jacksonville again, ESPN.com reports

If he plays this season, Albert would be owed nearly $9 million but that salary is not guaranteed, nor is his $9.5 million 2018 salary. The salary would become guaranteed if Albert is on a 53-man roster in Week 1. 

Albert announced on July 31 that he was retiring after nine seasons in the league. He had been traded from the Dolphins to the Jags in March for a future seventh-round draft pick. He didn’t participate in Jacksonville’s optional organized team activities, though he did show up later for mandatory minicamp. Albert reported to training camp last month but announced his intention to retire after just a few days. 

Albert, a first-round pick in 2008, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He signed a five-year, $47 million deal with the Dolphins in 2014 after six seasons with the Chiefs.

On the Jaguars’ first depth chart of training camp, rookie Cam Robinson is listed as the starter at left tackle and seven-year pro Jeremy Parnell is on the top of the depth chart at right tackle. 


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Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland is the writer and editor of Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, covering everything an educated sports fan needs to know. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

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