A.J. Hawk announces his retirement

Linebacker A.J. Hawk, the 5th overall player taken in the 2006 NFL draft who played in one game and was inactive for two others this season for the Atlanta Falcons, announced his retirement on Thursday.

Hawk told Albert Breer of The MMQB that he planned to file his retirement papers.

Hawk, who also played for the Green Bay Packers (2006-14) and Cincinnati Bengals (2015), was signed on Oct. 4 to provide depth at linebacker and play on special teams after a rash of injuries.

He played 19 snaps on special teams in the 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 9. He didn’t play in subsequent games against Seattle and San Diego before being released on Oct. 25.

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