WESTFIELD, Ind. — Jack Mewhort is calling it a career.
The 26-year-old Indianapolis Colts tackle/guard on Wednesday was placed on the team's Reserve/Retired list.
"I would like to thank the Irsay family and the entire Colts organization for giving me the opportunity to live a childhood dream," Mewhort said in a statement released by the Colts this afternoon. "The fans and the city of Indianapolis have treated me like one of their own, and I am forever grateful. Wearing the Horseshoe was one of the biggest honors I have ever known, and I will always bleed blue. Go Colts!"
A second-round pick by the Colts in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Mewhort quickly became one of the top young interior offensive linemen in the game, starting 30 games his first two seasons in Indianapolis.
But injury issues started creeping their way in during the 2016 season — particularly to his knees — and Mewhort would only make 10 starts that year before being placed on injured reserve.
Then, last season, Mewhort would only make it through five games before being shut down for the rest of the year once again with knee issues.
Working hard to get back to full health, however, the Colts re-signed Mewhort this offseason to a reported one-year deal to both contend for a starting job as well as continue to bring his veteran voice to the offensive line room. With starter Anthony Castonzo beginning training camp on the Active/Non-Football Injury list, Mewhort had even earned some early reps with the first team at left tackle, but he had not participated in practice the last two days.
General manager Chris Ballard commended Mewhort for giving the organization "everything he had in his four seasons with the team."
"He fought through injuries and played through pain," Ballard said in a release. "Jack is a selfless player who always carried a team-first mentality. He is revered among his coaches, teammates and staff and his leadership will be missed in the locker room. We're appreciative of Jack's dedication to the Colts and we wish him the best moving forward."
Mewhort's retirement leaves the Colts' active roster at 89 players; the team is yet to announce a corresponding move to get back to 90.
