Former Titans OL Taylor Lewan Says NFL Retirement Comment Was a Joke, Calls Out Video | News, Scores

Veteran offensive tackle Taylor Lewan clarified his playing status after fans were initially left to believe he retired.

The three-time Pro Bowler remains unsigned after the Tennessee Titans released him in February to end a nine-year run there. In a clip posted by Barstool Sports, he bluntly says, "I'm retired."

BREAKING NEWS: <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorLewan77?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TaylorLewan77</a> has announced his retirement from the NFL <a href="https://twitter.com/BussinWTB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BussinWTB</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/nLSAngAqE7">pic.twitter.com/nLSAngAqE7</a>

Lewan followed up to say he hasn't retired and that the video didn't provide the full context behind his remark.

I'm not retired.<br><br>production team asked if they could use this clip. I told them yes as long as they keep me saying it's a joke in the clip<br><br>Obviously they didn't listen and got what they wanted. Congrats on getting numbers I guess. <a href="https://t.co/kr2DRwXWdW">https://t.co/kr2DRwXWdW</a>

Lewan battled injuries over two of the last three seasons. The 32-year-old suffered a torn ACL in 2020 that limited him to five games, and another knee problem ended his 2022 campaign after just two games.

In May, Lewan sued Dr. James Andrews for medical malpractice and alleged the surgery for the 2020 ACL tear resulted in "permanent injury to his right knee, and surrounding structures, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments."

Based on the lawsuit, it seemed fair to conclude Lewan was hanging up his cleats. Along with the injury, he said in the litigation he's suffering from "severe pain and disability, suffering, disfigurement, loss of ability to enjoy life."

Lewan was also honest about the uncertainty surrounding his future when speaking to Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site in February. He said he was expecting to get cut by the team and that he'd "have to weigh the pros and cons of playing football, or not playing football."

As the offseason wore on without Lewan getting another contract, he looked for all intents and purposes done as an NFL player.

I expect Taylor Lewan to make his retirement official in the next month. Unsurprising based on what he looks like weight-wise right now. But an official move is an official move. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorLewan77?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TaylorLewan77</a>

Maybe the Michigan product intends to return to the field at some point, or perhaps he wants to save his official retirement announcement for a more formal occasion.

For now, Lewan made it clear he hasn't called it quits.

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