Cornerback Jerraud Powers announced his retirement Thursday, becoming the third Baltimore Ravens player to do so this offseason.
Powers, who will turn 30 in July, joined wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and linebacker Zachary Orr in walking away from the game.
An eight-year veteran, Powers was an unsigned free agent after playing nickelback in his first season with the Ravens. He had started the previous seven seasons for the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.
"With the 2017 season getting started and teams are preparing to be the best they can be, I think it's time for me to walk away from the game," Powers posted on Instagram. "The last 8 years have been a joy and wonderful ride. Even though I can still compete and play at a high level, mentally, I'm ready for the next chapter of my life."
The Ravens weren't expected to re-sign Powers. Baltimore signed veteran Brandon Carr in free agency and likely will draft a cornerback in the early rounds.
A third-round pick by the Colts in 2009, Powers finished his career with 413 tackles, 13 interceptions, 74 passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
In his retirement announcement, Powers thanked the Colts for taking a chance on him, the Cardinals for bringing him in to help turn an organization back to its winning ways and the Ravens for letting him be a part of a great football culture.
"The game of football changed my life forever and happy to forever be a part of the greatest fraternity in the world," Powers wrote. "Football has been a part of my life since the age of 6 and it's been great."
