Patriots seventh-round pick Dustin Woodard retiring from football

New England Patriots rookie Dustin Woodard has played his last down.

As first reported Thursday by Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, Woodard, who was drafted in the seventh round at pick No. 230 overall this spring, is retiring from football.

According to McBride, Covid-19 did not factor into the 22-year-old offensive lineman’s decision, which has since been made official by the organization.

Woodard started 52 career games at the University of Memphis. He played both guard spots and finished at center as a senior for the Tigers in 2019. At 6-foot-2, 291 pounds, Woodard was expected to compete for a roster spot behind Patriots captain David Andrews in training camp this August.

New England signed center Tyler Gauthier, who spent time on the practice squad after arriving as an undrafted rookie last season, earlier this week.

The team’s initial camp practice behind Gillette Stadium took place Wednesday. The first of 14 full-pads sessions is set for Aug. 17.