Who Should I Start? Matthew Slater or Julio Jones

Tuesday, February 20, 12:01 PM

New England Patriots wide receiver and special teams ace Matthew Slater announced on Tuesday that he is officially retiring from professional football. Slater holds the record for most special teams Pro Bowl appearances with 10. "I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game," Slater wrote. "Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime." The former fifth-round pick by the Patriots in 2008 out of UCLA spent his entire 16-year career in New England and won three Super Bowls with the team and is the franchise's all-time leader in special teams tackles. Slater played in 239 games with the Patriots, second in team history behind only Tom Brady (285). Slater's 25 career postseason games rank ninth-most in NFL history. The 38-year-old was a team captain for 13 straight seasons.

Monday, January 15, 10:11 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Julio Jones (concussion) was diagnosed with a concussion following a hard hit in the second quarter of Monday night's wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. Before taking the hard shot that left him concussed, the 34-year-old veteran caught three passes for just 22 yards. The Eagles are also without top receiver A.J. Brown (knee), so DeVonta Smith, who leads the team with four catches for 100 yards, and tight end Dallas Goedert (three catches for 11 yards and a touchdown) should continue to be a big part of Philly's passing game as they look to come from behind to beat the Bucs. Quez Watkins could also get more involved through the air in the second half. If the Eagles come back and win this game, Jones could be unavailable for the Divisional Round in Detroit against the Lions.