Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse football tight end Gabe Horan has been medically disqualified due to concussions, SU Athletics told syracuse.com on Tuesday evening.

Horan, a local product from C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, didn’t play in the final nine games of his true freshman season last fall due to injury.

Horan’s disqualification from further participation in SU sports leaves the Orange with two returning scholarship tight ends/fullbacks in 280-pound junior Chris Elmore and versatile junior tight end Aaron Hackett. Syracuse graduates Ravian Pierce and Kyle Kleinberg, while rising redshirt junior Rex Culpepper is back to working at quarterback. The program has signed catch-first high school senior Luke Benson, from Central Bucks West in Doylestown, Pa.

Head coach Dino Babers said on the Orange’s National Signing Day special that the team is considering using one of its remaining scholarships on a tight end, presumably a transfer with playing experience.

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Horan came to SU as a three-star prospect with offers from Syracuse, Boston College and Buffalo. He caught a touchdown pass during his collegiate debut against Connecticut and was expected to develop into an offensive tackle.

The Orange opens spring practice on March 3.

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Stephen Bailey covers Syracuse football for The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can also be reached anytime via email.