Thomas Tyner Announces Medical Retirement: Latest Details and Reaction

The Oregon Ducks announced running back Thomas Tyner will retire from football due to medical reasons. The 21-year-old missed the 2015 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in August and will finish his career with 1,284 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in 23 games at Oregon. Andrew Greif of the Oregonian noted he was a former 5-star recruit.

According to Tyson Alger of the Oregonian, Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich said Tyner's future was still up in the air Wednesday.

"I think it just totally depends," Helfrich said. "Guys that are injured I never want to put a cap on that. If a guy is out for the year or done for his career, we'll talk about that."

However, it became clear when Helfrich spoke on the unfortunate situation Friday, per Rob Moseley of GoDucks.com.

“We thank Thomas and wish him well,” Helfrich said. “We will continue to support his efforts to graduate from the University of Oregon.”

Tyner tweeted a message thanking his supporters after the announcement:

"

pic.twitter.com/m1TYKj4mxw

— Thomas Tyner (@thomas_tyner) February 5, 2016"

The 5'11", 215-pound back showed promise during his freshman season, rushing for 711 yards and nine touchdowns. The next year, he gained 511 yards, including 62 in a 2015 national championship game loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Tyner suffered a shoulder injury in the middle of that season when he took a hit from Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson. Tyner's father said his son is now dealing with two bad shoulders, per Greif.

It's a tough situation for the Aloha, Oregon, native, but the Ducks must move on. Sophomore Royce Freeman broke the school rushing record with 1,836 yards in Tyner's absence and should remain the starter in 2016. 

The Ducks will be strong in the run game, as a trio of backs, freshmen Taj Griffin and Tony Brooks-James and sophomore Kani Benoit, combined for 1,222 yards on the ground while backing up Freeman last season, per Moseley.