49ers RB Marcus Lattimore retires at age 23

[Auggie]

Lattimore, 23, spent the 2013 season on the non-football injury list and remained on that list this season. However, he began practicing last week with the hope that he would be able to play later this season.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound back suffered serious knee injuries in 2011 (ACL and MCL tears in his left knee) and 2012 (right knee) during his time at South Carolina.

Lattimore said he will return to South Carolina, where he majored in public health, to complete his degree. South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier said Lattimore will always have a place at the university.

Lattimore has a tax-free $1.7 million insurance policy that he should be able to collect on, his agent, Michael Perrett, told ESPN.com on Monday.

FULL STORY: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11827168/marcus-lattimore-san-francisco-49ers-retires-nfl

Lattimore said in a statement that "getting the knee fully back to the level the NFL demands has proven to be insurmountable."

At least he gave it a shot.

[KamaAina]

1. Good thing we have such depth at RB!

[Auggie]

3. They'll sign a cast-off or practice squad RB. But if they don't beat the Saints it's over.

Okay with me ... I'll be riding a Giants high until Spring Training.

In other news, the Seahawks claimed DE Demarcus Dobbs off waivers today.

[joeybee12]

2. Too bad...hate to see anyone have to leave that way...nt

[erpowers]

4. Feel Sorry For Him

I understand that he has a chance to get $1.7 million, but I still feel at least a little sorry for him. It is sad that he did not get his NFL salary because he was unable to play in games. His situation makes me want the NFL to change its salary policy. I understand the idea of not paying a person if they do not do the work, but there is at least a part of me that wants the NFL to pay guy like Marcus Lattimore their NFL salary. This also makes me think maybe high schools kids should be allowed to go straight to the NFL.

The good thing is that he can go back to college and he has money to live on.

[Auggie]

5. I used to be against paying college players, but now I'm for it ...

for incidents exactly like this.

[trotsky]

6. One of the more gruesome injuries I've seen on a football field.

I didn't even know he had been signed by an NFL team. Gotta admire his dedication and effort.

[TBF]

7. Packer Jermichael Finley is doing the same thing -

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/12/jermichael-finley-decides-to-pursue-disability-insurance-proceeds/

Recently coach McCarthy has indicated he'd like Finley back but he had a pretty bad neck injury so I'm not surprised he's trying to collect on his disability insurance. It's reportedly a $10M policy.