Chicago Bears TE Zach Miller announces his retirement

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Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears reacts in the third quarter during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Zach Miller, who played tight end for the Chicago Bears and suffered a gruesome leg injury in 2017, announced his retirement Tuesday on social media.

The Bears star posted on Instagram that he was moving on from the NFL and thanked the city of Chicago for its support.

“To the city of Chicago, my beloved bears fans and NFL fans everywhere... The time has come to move on from playing the game of football. It has been an incredible journey for myself and my entire family and we can’t thank you enough for your continued support.”

Miller had nine surgeries to address his injuries after he dislocated his knee and tore an artery on a potential touchdown reception in New Orleans on Oct. 29, 2017. He had left open the possibility of playing again up until announcing his retirement on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Miller posted on Instagram that it was time "to move on from playing the game of football." He wrote that he would love more than anything to play at Soldier Field one last time, but he "physically cannot give the game and our fans what they deserve."

Miller finishes his career with 146 receptions for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns in 66 games. He was selected by Jacksonville in the sixth round of the 2009 draft and played for the Jaguars for three seasons.