National Football League

Packers LB released, will retire due to neck injury

Published Apr. 26, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Outside linebacker Jeremy Thompson has been released by the Green Bay Packers and intends to retire from football after sustaining a neck injury last season.

Thompson, a fourth-round pick in the 2008 draft, thanked the team and fans in a statement, saying there "truly is no team I would have rather played for."

Thompson was hospitalized after injuring his neck in a collision during a practice in December. He was unable to play the remainder of the season.

Brad Jones and Brady Poppinga are the most likely candidates at inside linebacker to start opposite Clay Matthews III next season.