Concussions force rookie's retirement

Ryan Swope’s NFL career ended before it began.

As the Cardinals opened training camp today, the sixth-round rookie wide receiver announced his retirement because of continued concussion problems.

Swope, who had a concussion issue at Texas A & M and fell to the sixth round because of those concerns, was placed on the team’s reserve retired list.

“We knew Ryan has a concussion history in college and understood that it could possibly be an issue,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in a statement. “But weighing all the elements - the medical information available, the particular position in the draft - it was a decision we were comfortable making.

“As it turned out, he had a setback after he got here. Over the course of the subsequent evaluations, we all decided that Ryan's long-term well-being was the No. 1 priority and this was the best course to take.”