Broncos all-time leading receiver Rod Smith to retire - ESPN.com

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Source: Broncos WR Smith to retire after series of injuries

By Bill Williamson

ESPN.com

In a formality, Broncos all-time leading wide receiver Rod Smith is set to announce his retirement on Thursday.

Smith did not play in the 2007 season after having hip surgery. After a second procedure this winter, the team put him on the reserve list, but Smith had said that he wasn't yet ready to officially retire.

A source close to Smith said on Wednesday that Smith has decided to move on.

Thinking he still might play, Smith turned down a chance to be the Broncos receivers coach in February.

In June, Smith visited the Broncos and passed out pointers to the younger receivers as they ran their routes. He said at the time he wasn't sure if he was ready to walk away from football.

However, he admitted if he had caught his last pass, he was at peace with the decision.

"You knew it eventually was going to end," Smith said in June. "When it's time to close the door, trust me, I'm going to close it and wish the Broncos the best, no matter what."

Smith holds franchise records for career receptions (849), yards receiving (11,389), touchdown catches (68), touchdowns (71) and 100-yard games (31).

The Missouri Southern product also leads all undrafted players in every major receiving category.

Smith joined the team's practice squad in 1994 and played on the Broncos' Super Bowl championship teams after the 1998 and '99 seasons.

The Broncos made bolstering their depth at receiver an offseason priority, bringing in Keary Colbert, Samie Parker and Darrell Jackson after severing ties with Javon Walker.

Bill Wlliamson covers the NFL for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.