Jaguars LB Smith won't play in 2019 for personal reasons

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith announced on Thursday that he will not play football in 2019.

"At this time I must take time away from this game and get my world in order," Smith said on his Instagram account. "I must give this time back to myself, my family, and my health."

Smith doesn't appear to be retiring from the NFL, however, and he did his part to dispel trade talk, stating: "The day I do decide to call it quits it will be right here in Duval."

The 28-year-old was the subject of trade speculation earlier this offseason after not attending the Jaguars' conditioning workouts prior to the draft. His absence drew the ire of top executive Tom Coughlin even though the activities were optional.

The Jaguars addressed Smith's announcement in a release on Thursday.

"We will not have a comment about Telvin Smith's statement at this time. We need to have a conversation with Telvin to understand the situation and the circumstances," read the release. "If there is a way we can support him we need to understand that."

General manager Dave Caldwell responded vaguely to questions about Smith's future with his club in April but claimed he had yet to receive any calls from teams looking to acquire the linebacker.

Smith signed a four-year, $45-million extension with the Jaguars in October 2017. He was a Pro Bowler that season but wasn't as effective in 2018.

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