Well, this was another one of those stories out of left field. At least, it was for me.

Two of the main characters in the first two seasons of Friday Night Lights was Jason Street and “Smash.” Street suffered a paralyzing injury early in the first season, while Smash was a star running back for the Dillon Panthers and graduated at the end of last year.

Their situations seem to pose a problem for the writers because both of them are out of high school now. The series is about Friday night high school football, and following these two characters elsewhere will prove to be too difficult.

Both actors, Gaius Charles (Smash) and Scott Porter (Street), have been taken off contract and will only appear in recurring roles this coming season.

According to Ausiello, we’ll get two 4-episode story arcs that “will observe each character as they launch themselves into the next phase of their lives.”

I’m more bummed about Street leaving, because I really loved his character. His transformation over the two seasons was inspiring.

What do you guys think? Sad over this news, or perhaps it’s time for new high school football players?

[EW]