Carolina Panthers
Source: Panthers OT Jonathan Martin retires due to back injury
Carolina Panthers

Source: Panthers OT Jonathan Martin retires due to back injury

Published Jul. 27, 2015 3:06 p.m. ET

Former Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Jonathan Martin is retiring, FOX Sports 1's NFL insider Mike Garafolo confirmed Monday.

Martin, who was claimed by the Carolina Panthers this offseason, had a back injury that would've shelved him for the entire season, according to Garafolo. 

The 25-year old offensive tackle has a year remaining on his four-year rookie deal. 

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport first reported the news. The Panthers said they had no news information regarding Martin's status.

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Martin's agent Ken Zuckerman told The Associated Press on Monday that Martin said he wouldn't play this season.

"He tells me he's not going to play," Zuckerman said. "I told him to never say never (because) there are always medical advancements. If his back has a miraculous comeback without surgery he would like to play."

Martin, a former second round pick from the 2012 NFL Draft, made national headlines in 2013 when he abruptly left the Dolphins during the season amid reports he was bullied by teammates on the offensive line, including Richie Incognito. Incognito was suspended by the Dolphins in 2013 and Martin underwent counseling.

Neither player played for the Dolphins again.

In a 144-page report commissioned by the NFL, it was determined that Incognito and two other Dolphins offensive linemen, John Jerry and Mike Pouncey, "engaged in a pattern of harassment" toward Martin, another young offensive lineman later identified as Andrew McDonald, and an well as an assistant trainer.

Martin spent last season with the 49ers where he played in 15 games with nine starts. In three NFL seasons Martin has played in 38 games and started 32.

He is scheduled to make $1.042 million this season but would forfeit that money if he chose to retire.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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