Ravens stunned by Bennett's retirement

Updated: July 27, 2009, 11:30 AM ET
By John Clayton | ESPN.com

The Ravens suffered another blow at their thin wide receiver position when Drew Bennett announced his retirement Sunday night.

Bennett, who was signed Friday as a replacement for Derrick Mason, stunned the Baltimore Ravens with his retirement announcement and leaves the Ravens in the market for a veteran receiver once again. They have only two wide receivers on their roster that caught a pass for them last year.

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"After returning home from Baltimore this weekend, a previous knee injury flared up, making me realize that I am unable to play another NFL season," Bennett said. "Therefore, I have decided to retire from the National Football League. I want to thank Coach Harbaugh, Coach Cameron and Ozzie Newsome for offering me the opportunity to be a part of their outstanding organization, and apologize to them for this unfortunate situation.

"The Ravens are a first-class organization that I was truly excited to join. After an offseason of workouts and rehab I thought I was ready to play again, but it became apparent over this weekend that while my mind is willing, my body will not be able to make it through another NFL season. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to play in the NFL for as long as I have, but it is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life."

The 30-year-old Bennett was a tall, possession receiver who was a hit in Tennessee. Though undrafted, Bennett spent eight seasons in the NFL and caught 307 passes during his career for 4,412 yards and 28 touchdowns. He spent his first six seasons with the Titans. He signed a six-year, $30 million deal with the Rams but was released after two unproductive seasons.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

John Clayton

NFL senior writer
  • Senior NFL writer and commentator
  • Joined ESPN in 1995
  • Member of the writers' wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio

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