National Football League

Keith Rivers retires instead of reporting to Cowboys' camp

Published Jul. 30, 2015 5:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

OXNARD, Calif. (AP) Linebacker Keith Rivers has decided to retire rather than report to training camp with the Dallas Cowboys.

Coach Jason Garrett said he spoke with the 29-year-old Rivers about two hours before the team boarded a flight Tuesday for California. The Cowboys placed Rivers on the reserve/retired list before the first camp workout Thursday. He signed with Dallas in March and went through offseason workouts.

A top-10 pick by Cincinnati in 2008, Rivers missed time with various injuries while also playing for the New York Giants and Buffalo. The seven-year veteran was never listed with a concussion.

Rivers had 182 tackles in 74 games, including 50 starts. He started 33 of the 35 games he played in three seasons with the Bengals.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL