Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Sean McGrath celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed Saturday what many had speculated since veterans reported Wednesday for training camp.
“(Tight end Sean) McGrath is going to retire,” Reid said. “That’s what we’ve been told by him and I wish him the best. He’s a good kid and it was a personal decision he made.”
The Chiefs signed the 26-year-old McGrath on Sept. 1, 2013, a day often referred to as “The Second Draft” due to the players joining the team off waivers, including McGrath, linebacker Dezman Moses, and cornerbacks Marcus Cooper and Ron Parker, among others.
McGrath’s signing last season carried significance considering the rash of injuries at the tight end position.
With Travis Kelce out with a knee injury and Anthony Fasano dealing with an ankle injury that cost him four games early in the year, McGrath stepped in and immediately contributed.
He appeared in all 16 regular-season games with nine starts and led the tight end position with 26 catches for 302 yards. He added two receiving touchdowns.
McGrath, who attended the Chiefs offseason workout program, reported on time Wednesday for training camp. But he wasn’t present on the practice field Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Chiefs are now at 89 players on the offseason roster, including four tight ends: Fasano, Kelce, Demetrius Harris and Richard Gordon.
NOTES: Wide receiver Junior Hemingway left practice with what Reid called “a little spasm in his hamstring” … Safety Eric Berry dislocated a finger, but returned to the sidelines after receiving attention in the medical tent … Inside linebacker Joe Mays is dealing with a sore knee, and Reid said the team will monitor it.
