Four-time Pro Bowler Arian Foster says he can no longer take the punishment an NFL running back endures, so he is retiring midway through an injury-plagued season with the Miami Dolphins.
Foster, 30, tried to come back from a torn achilles tendon, but was slowed this season by groin and hamstring injuries.
He announced his retirement Monday on the website Undefeated as the Dolphins began their bye week.
The team confirmed the decision, effective immediately.
"There comes a time in every athlete's career when their ambition and their body are no longer on the same page," Foster wrote.
"I've reached that point. It's hard to write those words because this game has been everything to me ... my therapy, my joy, my solace and my enemy."
Foster signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Dolphins in July after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Houston Texans. He holds the Texans' franchise record with 6,472 yards rushing.
This season he rushed for 55 yards on 22 carries, and he had 5 yards on three carries Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Since 2010, Foster ranked second in the NFL with 115.2 yards from scrimmage per game, trailing only Le'Veon Bell's 121.9.
