Cardinals TE Travis Vokolek medically retiring due to neck injury suffered last season

Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek is calling it a career after evaluating a neck injury he suffered last season with doctors and neurologists.

Vokolek appeared in a career-high five games in 2025, including his first start. He spent all three NFL seasons with the Cardinals and logged 84 offensive snaps and 51 on special teams.

His five games came within the first six weeks of the season, before suffering his injury during a kickoff in a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 12.

“I am extremely grateful and blessed to have been able to live out my childhood dream of playing football at the highest level for the past three years,” Vokolek wrote on social media. “Football has taught me many life lessons and given me unforgettable memories.

“I am forever grateful to all my teammates, coaches, trainers and others who have supported my family and I along the way.”

Vokolek, 28, also offered a “sincere thank you” to the Cardinals training staff for “being first class with the care and support they provided my family and I during this hard time.”

The tight end was initially signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 after going undrafted out of Rutgers, though he was waived ahead of the regular season and added to their practice squad.

Arizona picked him up near the end of the 2023 season as an injury replacement to tight end Geoff Swaim.

Related

What are the Cardinals position battles to watch this training camp?Cardinals have toughest strength of schedule per PFF, expected to win fewest gamesReport: Jacoby Brissett reports to Cardinals training campCardinals quarterback Carson Beck signs rookie contract as camp beginsCardinals OG Isaiah Adams ‘had no knowledge of any firearm’ before arrest, attorney saysCan Walter Nolen III pick up the slack left behind by Calais Campbell?