Nov 3, 2012; Boulder, CO, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Josh Nunes (6) throws in the second quarter of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Stanford athletic department reported via its football twitter account that quarterback Josh Nunes is retiring from football.
We regret to report that senior QB Josh Nunes is medically retiring, ending his Cardinal career. Please join us w/ thx to Josh! #gostanford
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) April 29, 2013
Nunes missed the Cardinal’s spring workouts with what head coach David Shaw told reporters was a “freak occurrence” in February. Nunes injured the biceps of his throwing arm during winter weight lifting sessions.
UPDATE: The below comes from Antonio Gonzalez of the Associated Press, with details on Nunes’ injury:
Josh Nunes had surgery in Feb to reattach pectoralis major tendon with screws. Had completely ripped off bone
— Antonio Gonzalez (@ByAntonioG) April 30, 2013
The 6-foot-4 senior-to-be was tabbed as Stanford’s replacement for Andrew Luck just before the 2012 season, and started nine of the Cardinal’s 12 regular season games. He completed 52.8 percent of his passes for 1674 yards and 10 touchdowns, and rushed for another three scores before freshman Kevin Hogan replaced him as starter.
The Nunes situation is reminiscent to that of former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Steven Threet, who started most of the 2010 season but was replaced by Brock Osweiler down the stretch. Threet retired because of concussions the following off-season.
Evan Crower and Dallas Lloyd remain as the back-ups to Hogan for 2013. Crower emerged as a likely No. 2 during spring practices.