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Syracuse kicker Ross Krautman (37) has decided to end his football career because of a chronic hip injury.

(Dick Blume | dblume@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse kicker Ross Krautman has decided to end his career because of a chronic hip injury that he's been battling the last few years.

Head coach Scott Shafer announced the decision on Saturday afternoon. It was one of two roster announcements made. Freshman quarterback Alin Edouard has been temporarily excused from the team so he can travel to Florida for family reasons. No time frame was given for Edouard's return.

Shafer said the decision on Krautman was made "a short while back" and that Krautman was "crushed."

"It breaks my heart," Shafer said. "The kid was beside himself. But he'll do well with that SU degree."

Krautman's return to the field had been anticipated since he received a medical waiver for a fifth season. He underwent hip surgery last year and missed the final 11 games of the 2013 season.

"We were really hopeful he was going to make it back," Shafer said. "It's continued to be a bother to him. He's had a lot of pain with it.

"Ross is a great kid, one of my favorite kids on the team, and I really appreciate the effort he put into his time here at Syracuse and he'll be missed, he really will."

Krautman's absence puts the kicking game in a familiar situation.

Ryan Norton returns after converting 10-of-15 field goals, including 3-for-6 from 40 yards and beyond, last season. But Norton has also run into trouble off the field. He was suspended for one game last season after being charged with resisting arrest and underage possession of alcohol. He also missed the spring game while serving a suspension for a violation of team rules.

Syracuse also has walk-on kickers Alex Hodgkinson and Cole Murphy in the program.

"Impact is we lost a good kicker," Shafer said, "so the next guy up better have his (butt) ready."

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