Ballard has announced his retirement from the NFL, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. A knee injury that he sustained in Super Bowl XLVI is evidently still impacting Ballard, so he'll hang up his cleats, which leaves the Cards' tight end duties in the hands of John Carlson, Rob Housler, Troy Niklas and Darren Fells.

Ballard missed Tuesday's practice due to a sore knee but is expected to return Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. After he was signed in the middle of last season, Ballard proceeded to gather in seven catches (on nine targets) for 75 yards and two touchdowns. With an entire offseason to evaluate the roster, coach Bruce Arians has apparently warmed up to Ballard, listing him as one of the Cardinals' two starting tight ends on the first depth chart of training camp. As long as the injury doesn't slow him down as the preseason rolls along, Ballard could pose a viable tight end threat once the season kicks off.

Cardinals re-sign TE Jake Ballard to one-year contract. The Cardinals failed to tender Ballard earlier this offseason. Ballard caught seven passes for 75 yards and two scores after signing with the Cardinals in November.

The Cardinals failed to tender offers to restricted free agents TE Jake Ballard, RB Alfonso Smith, OLB Marcus Benard, and DE Ronald Talley, making them unrestricted free agents. Ballard signed with the Cardinals in November and caught seven passes for 75 yards and two scores. Benard registered 2.5 sacks in limited snaps. He's always flashed some pass rush potential. Talley and Smith are special teamers.

The Arizona Republic expects the Cardinals to tender an offer to restricted free-agent TE Jake Ballard this offseason. Ballard missed the first half of the season while recovering from knee surgery and was signed by the Cardinals in Week 9. He appeared in eight games (three starts), finishing with seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. With Jim Dray an impending free agent, Ballard will likely be brought back as a blocking tight end behind Rob Housler.

Cardinals TE Jake Ballard caught three balls for 13 yards and a touchdown in Arizona's Week 15 win over Tennessee. The Cardinals have used Ballard as a blocking tight end because he's big enough to take on defensive ends and outside linebackers. He secured a six-yard touchdown in the second half from Carson Palmer, giving Arizona a 20-17 lead. It was Ballard's first TD since his final season with the Giants two years back. Ballard played a bigger role in the passing game this particular week because Rob Housler (groin) was inactive. Ballard won't be a fantasy option at Seattle in fantasy title week.

Cardinals agreed to terms with TE Jake Ballard on a one-year contract. The Cards likely hope Ballard will upgrade on Jim Dray as a blocker.

Free agent TE Jake Ballard will work out for the Chiefs on Tuesday. Ballard reportedly wants to sign with a team this week. He'll begin to work out for teams this week after he denied requests earlier this season in order to get his surgically-repaired knee back to 100 percent.

Free agent TE Jake Ballard wants to sign with a team this week. Ballard has had some chances for workouts over the last month, but has reportedly resisted because he wanted to get his troublesome knee to 100 percent. He was a shell of his 2011 form at Patriots camp in August.

The Ravens will work out free agent TE Jake Ballard on Monday. Ballard was among the Patriots' final cuts. Baltimore has to be displeased with its current tight ends after Ed Dickson and Dallas Clark's drop- and error-filled NFL opener. Ballard, 25, is primarily a blocker on the line.