The Redskins have twice been the most injured team in football. Is that bad luck or bad planning?
The Redskins have announced that offensive tackle Chris Samuels has decided to retire after 10 seasons in the NFL.
Samuels will host a press conference at Redskins Park on Thursday, March 4 at 12 noon ET. Stay tuned to Redskins.com for complete coverage.
Samuels, 6-5 and 310 pounds, spent his entire decade-long career with the Redskins after joining the team as the third overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. The anchor of the offensive line, Samuels earned six Pro Bowl selections.
His playing career ended in Week 5 last season when he suffered a neck injury in a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Samuels has played with spinal stenosis–a narrowing of the spine–since high school, so any injury to his neck was a concern.
He met with several medical specialists during the last four months to determine whether he could–or should–play again.
“I’ve been through some good years and some bad years here,” Samuels said in mid-January. “I’ve been through it all. My decision-making will be about my health. If I’m okay to go out and play and there’s not a big risk to get permanently injured, then I’ll definitely play.”
Turns out that the risk was too great.
Samuels was the focal point of a consistent offensive line for the Redskins. He played in 141 regular season games from 2000-09, all starts.
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