Texas quarterback David Ash is ending his football career after a series of concussions kept him off the field during much of the last two seasons.

Longhorns coach Charlie Strong said Wednesday that Ash “came up to me and approached me” to inform him of his decision to step away from the game. Ash will continue to be part of the program in a non-playing capacity.

Texas also announced Wednesday that defensive tackle Desmond Jackson will be sidelined for the rest of the season because of an ankle injury. Jackson has started 13 games during his career.

After Ash played in only three games last season because of concussions, he broke a bone in his left foot in April and sat out the remainder of spring practice. Ash was cleared to return this fall but suffered another concussion in the third quarter of the 2014 season opener against North Texas.

Sophomore Tyrone Swoopes took over as the starting quarterback and the Longhorns have lost their last two games to BYU and UCLA.

Ash ended up playing in 29 career games at Texas and passing for 4,728 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward and former Texas basketball standout Kevin Durant offered his encouragement Wednesday to Ash on Twitter.

“Thank you David Ash, you gave your all to the University of Texas. I respect your decision and good luck in the future my brother,” Durant tweeted.