Unable to recover from a lingering injury sustained to his right knee, University of Wisconsin senior-to-be defensive lineman Justin Ostrowski decided to end his football career.

The decision to call it quits came after two injury-riddled seasons during which Ostrowski managed to play in just seven games.

"An unfortunate side to the game of football is the chance of injury," head coach Bret Bielema said in a statement released Monday. "Based on the advice Justin got from his doctors, he decided it would be best if he stopped playing."

Despite the premature end to his career, Ostrowski said he is grateful for getting a chance to play at Wisconsin and for the concern he received from the entire coaching staff.

"Coach Bielema and his staff have done a wonderful job in helping me throughout this process," Ostrowski said. "I want to thank everyone at the University of Wisconsin for the support and guidance I've received. I especially thank Coach Alvarez for giving me the opportunity to play football and receive my degree from one of the best schools in the country."

According to Bielema, Ostrowski will remain on scholarship and has been given every opportunity to remain a part of the program.

Ostrowski has taken up his coach's offer. Brandishing a hockey stick with a football attached to it, the Portage native can be spotted assisting defensive line coach Randall McCray with running the lines' individual position drills during spring practice.

After redshirting his freshman year, Ostrowski took advantage of his only healthy season in 2004. He played 11 games, recording five tackles and his only collegiate sack. As one of the few linemen with experience, Ostrowski had a chance to increase his role in 2005. However, an injury to the knee during preseason drills damaged that opportunity. He returned for five games during the latter part of the season, but the knee impeded his performance. The following year, 2006, Ostrowski saw action in just the first two games of the season before the troubled knee sent him to the sidelines.

For his career, Ostrowski made 11 tackles, including one quarterback sack in 18 games.

— UWBadgers.com contributed to this report.