Jared

Veldheer

Veldheer has retired twice in his career, last playing in 2020 with the Packers. The 36-year-old vet worked out with the Colts on Friday and was inked to the practice squad early Monday. Veldheer has played in 121 games during his career but played in only three games from 2019 to 2020. Veldheer was suspended for six games in May 2021 for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Rather than serve his suspension, Veldheer opted to retire from the league. We’ll see if he’s able to crack the Colts’ 53-man roster in the coming weeks after having a chance to acclimate himself with the team.

It’s the second time Veldheer has retired the past two seasons. The Packers lured Veldheer out of retirement in 2019 and he started two games for the Colts last year, including a Divisional Round loss to Buffalo. Veldheer would have been suspended the first six games of 2021 after testing positive for PEDs had he not retired. A third-round pick out of Division 2 Hillsdale, Veldheer played and started for five different teams in his 11 seasons, racking up $40.6 million in career earnings.

Signed from the Colts’ practice squad on January 11, Veldheer will miss Green Bay’s Divisional Round game against the Rams. The veteran was expected to be used as depth behind Billy Turner, who replaced David Bakhtiari (knee) at left tackle.

COVID practice squad rules allow for a non-protected player to sign elsewhere at the beginning of the week. Veldheer in turn will become the first player in NFL history to play for two teams in the same postseason after starting in the Colts’ Wild Card loss to Buffalo. The veteran is expected to be used as depth behind Billy Turner, who will replace David Bakhtiari (knee) at left tackle for the remainder of the postseason.

Veldheer provides veteran depth with LT Anthony Castonzo (knee) out for the year. With backup LT Will Holden (ankle) looking questionable for Week 17, the Colts are expected to add Veldheer to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game with Jacksonville.

Veldheer came out of retirement to appear in two games for the Packers last year. He’s no longer a starter, but could add some veteran competition to Detroit’s right tackle spot. The Lions currently have Tyrell Crosby atop their depth chart after releasing Rick Wagner.

Veldheer came out of retirement to close out the 2019 season with the Packers, and he plans to give it at least one more go this upcoming year. He’ll be a replacement-level starter or experienced backup depending on his landing spot. Veldheer will be a 33-year-old when the season kicks off.

Veldheer’s signing with Arizona was one of the worst kept secrets over tampering weekend. He’ll slide in on Carson Palmer’s blindside, replacing the underwhelming duo of Bradley Sowell and Nate Potter. Veldheer is an elite pass protector and is built like the Hulk. He’ll have his hands full in the NFC West with the likes of Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith, and the number of Seahawks pass rushers.

“I struggled with that,” McKenzie admitted. It’s a delicate situation when a player wants to walk, but at least publicly, Veldheer said he wanted to remain a Raider. Speaking in early February, Veldheer expressed bafflement at the Raiders’ lukewarm efforts to re-sign him. Even if Veldheer was maneuvering behind the scenes to escape Oakland, McKenzie still held all the cards thanks to the franchise tag. If he truly wanted to retain Veldheer, there was nothing stopping him.

Veldheer just signed a one-year deal with New England earlier this month, but he apparently decided he did not have another season in him. A third-round pick by the Raiders back in 2010, Veldheer parlayed a good start to his career into a big deal with the Cardinals in 2014. Injuries ultimately led to his decline in Arizona, but Veldheer was a quality tackle during his prime.