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San Francisco 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore won't carry on his attempt at an NFL career any longer. Lingering effects of a serious right knee injury have convinced him to retire.

The 49ers' Twitter account announced Lattimore's decision Wednesday:

The former running back spoke about it via 49ers.com:

After prayer and careful consideration, I have decided it’s time to end my professional football career. I have given my heart and soul to the game that I love, and it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life and help others. I have given every ounce of my energy toward making a full recovery from my knee injury, and I have made a lot of progress. Unfortunately, getting my knee fully back to the level the NFL demands has proven to be insurmountable. I am grateful for the entire 49ers organization. Their decision to draft me was the realization of a lifelong dream to be an NFL player, and I cannot thank them enough for believing in me and for doing everything in their power to assist in my recovery. I will always be a 49er! Though I am proud of what I have accomplished throughout my football career, I am sincerely disappointed that it must end, but I trust that God has a great plan for my future. As for what’s next, I will be returning to the University of South Carolina to complete my degree.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh commented on the news:

ESPN insider Adam Caplan had initially reported on Monday that the once-promising ball-carrier was going to hang up his cleats:

Lattimore's final collegiate season at South Carolina was derailed by a severe collision that tore every ligament in his right knee and dislocated his kneecap. That came after Lattimore battled back from a torn ACL and MCL in his other knee in the previous season.

Connor Shaw, who played quarterback for South Carolina during Lattimore's heyday, reached out to his friend while he weighed his future options:

Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller weighed in on San Francisco's bold decision to take a risk on Lattimore in the first place:

There was no doubting Lattimore had NFL-caliber talent coming out of South Carolina, where—even in limited time—he managed double-digit touchdowns in all three years during which he wore a Gamecocks uniform.

That led the 49ers to select him with a fourth-round draft pick in 2013.

Perhaps if Lattimore's health situation improves, he will give football another shot, given that he is only 23 years of age. San Francisco's backfield is crowded with the presence of veteran Frank Gore and rookie second-rounder Carlos Hyde, who has the skills to be the Niners' feature back of the future.

In any event, it is unfortunate that someone as gifted as Lattimore had his bright NFL outlook derailed by catastrophic injuries.