Carolina Panthers defensive end Wes Horton announced his retirement over social media on Tuesday, ending a seven-year NFL career.
Horton became the second member on the team’s defense to announce his retirement since the start of the calendar year. Seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly, 28, made his declaration last month.
“The little injuries I’ve accumulated over the years have finally caught up to me and when weighing the risk, I’d rather preserve what’s left of my body,” Horton wrote as part of a lengthy post on Instagram.
Horton, 30, played in seven seasons with the Panthers since signing with the club as an undrafted rookie in 2013 out of USC. He briefly joined the New Orleans Saints prior to last season before recording four tackles in six games with Carolina.
Horton collected 97 tackles and 15.5 sacks in 83 career games, all with the Panthers.