Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek has announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 28, after sustaining a serious neck injury during the 2025 season. The decision marks an abrupt end to his playing career and represents a notable loss for the Cardinals' roster, coming amid the physical toll the sport can take even on relatively young players.

Vokolek suffered the injury while blocking during a kickoff in a game against the Indianapolis Colts, landing awkwardly on the play. Following the incident, he opted to step away from professional football rather than risk further harm, ending his time with the Cardinals.