Sean Ryan ( American football ) Sean P . Ryan born March 27 , 1980 ) is an American football tight end in the National Football League , and is currently a free agent . He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft . He played college football at Boston College , and at St . Joseph ' s Collegiate Institute for High School . Ryan most recently played for the Washington Redskins . He has also played for the New York Jets , Miami Dolphins , New Orleans Saints , San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs . College career . At Boston College , he was originally a defensive end , but switched to tight end as a sophomore . Called the " most competitive player in the Big East " by " USA Today " , he excelled in both blocking and receiving and received All - Big East second team honors ( 2002 ) . During his college career he played 50 games and starting 44 a finished his career with 75 receptions for 950 yards and 12 touchdowns . His 12 touchdown receptions rank second in school history among tight ends . He also received the Orie T . Scarminach award , annually given to the MVP of the Boston College - Syracuse game . Against Syracuse Ryan had 6 receptions for 105 yards and 1 touchdown and helped pave the way for running back Derrick Knight to rush for over 170 yards and 2 touchdowns . Throughout his career Ryan was noted to doing the little things well at his tight end position and was continually praised for his off - the - field work ethic and desire to progress as a football player . Professional career . Dallas Cowboys . He was selected in the 5th round ( 144th overall ) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and signed to the practice squad . In 2004 , with Dan Campbell going on injured reserve , he appeared in 6 games as the blocking tight end . He fractured his foot in training camp and missed all of the 2005 preseason , but was still signed to the practice squad . In November 2005 , with 3rd - string TE Brett Pierce injured , Ryan was promoted to the main squad again . New York Jets . On 31 August 2006 , Ryan was traded to the New York Jets for a seventh - round draft choice in the 2007 NFL Draft . Ryan was expected to fill the role of # 2 tight end for the Jets , behind Chris Baker . After 16 regular season games of the 2006 NFL regular season , Ryan had 3 starts and 6 catches for a combined 44 yards . He also had a lot of key blocks for the Jets offense . Miami Dolphins . On February 29 , 2008 , the Miami Dolphins signed Ryan to a one - year contract . He was released on September 12 , 2008 . New Orleans Saints . Ryan was signed by the New Orleans Saints on September 24 , 2008 after starting tight end Jeremy Shockey suffered a sports hernia . Quarterback Joey Harrington was released to make room for Ryan on the roster . The Saints waived him prior to their next game on September 28 in order to activate fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin from their practice squad . Ryan was re - signed by the Saints on October 8 after the team waived tight end Buck Ortega . He was released again on October 16 . San Francisco 49ers . The San Francisco 49ers signed Ryan on November 3 , 2008 after releasing fullback David Kirtman . Kansas City Chiefs . Ryan signed a one - year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 21 , 2009 . Ryan scored his first touchdown on September 13 , 2009 in the regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens . Tennessee Titans . Ryan signed a one - year contract with the Tennessee Titans on June 10 , 2010 . He was released on September 5 , 2010 . Lawsuit against the NFL . In December 2011 , Ryan announced that he and a group of 11 other professional players had filed a lawsuit against the NFL . Ryan and his attorneys allege that the League failed to properly treat head injuries in spite of prevailing medical evidence , leading the players to develop effects of brain injury ranging from chronic headaches to depression .