North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner‘s season is now officially done. As expected, shoulder surgery will put the Tar Heels senior quarterback on the shelf for the remainder of the season. Renner’s surgery to repair a detached labrum and fracture in the injured shoulder was announced on Tuesday by the school’s athletic department. The school also announced the surgery would be season ending. On Wednesday the surgery was performed successfully.
This officially brings a close to the collegiate career of Renner, who had been a consistent starter for a program in flux since 2011. Renner’s career ends with 8,221 career passing yards (third most in school history) and 64 touchdowns (second most in school history).
With Renner now out of action, the Tar Heels will look to wrap up a disappointing 2013 season with sophomore Marquise Williams under center. Williams has appeared in six games this season mostly in relief of Renner but did pile up passing yards against Virginia Tech, one of the top defensive teams in the ACC this season. Against the Hokies Williams passed for 277 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-17 loss on the road. Williams has six touchdown passes and three interceptions this season while completing 60.6 percent of his pass attempts.
The Tar Heels still have a chance to reach the postseason of course. At 3-5, North Carolina needs to win three of their final four games this season. They will have three of those games at home, including games against Virginia (2-7, 0-5 ACC) and Old Dominion (6-3 in a transition year from FCS to FBS). North Carolina’s lone road game is at Pittsburgh (4-4, 2-3 ACC) and the Tar Heels finish the season at home against Duke (6-2, 2-2 ACC).
As for Renner, the focus will be on his rehab, which should keep him in a sling through mid-December. Afer that Renner will have time to work out to be prepared for the NFL Draft.