Neck surgery ends season, maybe career, for Steelers' Hoke

[7willBheaven]

Longtime Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke will have neck surgery, ending his season and perhaps his NFL career, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.

Hoke, in his second consecutive start for injured Casey Hampton at nose tackle, left the Oct. 16 game against Jacksonville with what was described as a "stinger" in his neck. He has not played since.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11340/1194964-100.stm

[polamalubeast]

OMG

[43Hitman]

That's terrible, I hope he's going to be okay. Hate to see a career end with a neck injury.

[Devilsdancefloor]

hope it isnt career ending! speedy recovery Hokey!!

[tihmtahm]

I hope he can recover.

[The Duke]

At 35, hope he hangs it up. No need to make it worse in the future

thanks for everything Hokey!

[BigNastyDefense]

My prayers are with him! Neck surgery is nothing to sneeze at, even if it's "minor" it's still your neck and probably involves your spine.

[XxKnightxX]

I hope he recovers and hangs it up. If a neck injury kept manning out for a whole season and hes a QB, hes got no business as a nosetackle in the AFC North . Dont risk it buddy, enjoy and Steeler nation will never forget how great of a player you were, the defense never missed a beat with Casey out .

[pepsyman1]

Definately an unsung hero in our defense. I hope he recovers and calls it a career. Could have started at NT for any 3-4 team, we were lucky to have him in tandem with Big Snack for his whole NFL career.

[Polamalu Princess]

Wow, that is so sad. I will be keeping him in my prayers.

[86WARD]

Sucks...

[Craic]

Horrible to read. I hope he's okay. I've always liked the guy. He's always been there when we needed him.

All the best to him and hope he has a great recovery. Wouldn't mind seeing him in camp next year, but I'd rather him be healthy the rest of his life.

[steeldevil]

He would be wise to call it a career.

Lets get him another SB ring this year.

[86WARD]

He would be wise to call it a career.

Lets get him another SB ring this year.

I like that plan!

[BlastFurnace]

One of my favorite Steelers.

Wish you the best Hokey!

[suitanim]

We will need to comb the FA market for a couple decent DL...Hood and Heyward are going to work out nicely, but we need Casey's replacement (draft?) and at least 2 good back-ups behind them beyond what we already have.

[steelreserve]

Aww, shit! Where did that come from? Hoke was one of my favorite guys on the team, and possibly the best backup NT in the league. I hope he makes a full recovery, whether he plays again or not.

[Count Steeler]

Wow. If we win the SB, we may not recognize this team next year. Some retirements are imminent, while others may occur if we win another ring.

Could be quite an off season for the FO.

[zulater]

Obviously this explains why he dropped on the depth chart and hasn't been seen for so long.

[stillers4me]

I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this,...

Anybody got a foot stomping smiley I can use?

[kmsteelerwr15]

That's a shame. Hopefully he can fully recover.

[BlastFurnace]

Wow. If we win the SB, we may not recognize this team next year. Some retirements are imminent, while others may occur if we win another ring.

Could be quite an off season for the FO.

From what I have read, there is about 12 to 15 Million that needs to come off the books next year.

[Godfather]

That's really sad. Hoke was a great Steeler and deserves better.

[GBMelBlount]

Hoke has been a fantastic backup for Hampton and absolutely bleeds black and gold.

His attitude and work ethic are inspirational and he will be sorely missed...

[SteelGhost]

Hokey is a great player and a great guy, I hope he recovers from the injury and have a good life.

We'll miss you Hokey Pokey !

[Psycho Ward 86]

It's been a great run Hokie. Thanks for the memories. At the end of the day, football is still just a game, be smart about it.

[Steeldude]

that sucks. IMO, he was the steelers best NT.

[Merchant]

Damn. That sucks. Have a speedy recovery Hokey.

[steelerdude15]

This is sad to see, he's been a part of this defense for years. I hope he can recover fully.

[st33lersguy]

I hate to see such a reliable player for the Steelers have to go through with this. My prayers are out to Chris Hoke

[7willBheaven]

We will need to comb the FA market for a couple decent DL...Hood and Heyward are going to work out nicely, but we need Casey's replacement (draft?) and at least 2 good back-ups behind them beyond what we already have.

There really arent going to be a whole lot of openings at least at DE. Keisel and Hood...then Heyward and Wood whom they seem to really like...and that Bryant kid on the PS has potential thats 4-5 right there. Then Hampton and McLendon...thats 6-7 and thats all they usually keep...not guaranteeing all those make the team next year but i think the the chances are high they do (Bryant might be the only one who may not). They only spot I think they may look is NT...unless someone sooooo good they cant pass up falls into their laps.

[Austin87]

Hoke had a great career for the Steelers, hope he fully recovers. I can see him along with a couple of veterans retiring after the season.

[suitanim]

There really arent going to be a whole lot of openings at least at DE. Keisel and Hood...then Heyward and Wood whom they seem to really like...and that Bryant kid on the PS has potential thats 4-5 right there. Then Hampton and McLendon...thats 6-7 and thats all they usually keep...not guaranteeing all those make the team next year but i think the the chances are high they do (Bryant might be the only one who may not). They only spot I think they may look is NT...unless someone sooooo good they cant pass up falls into their laps.

Keisel is no spring chicken, and Hampton is at the end of his career as well. IMO looking to 2012 and 2013, outside of Hood and Heyward, we really don't have any other NFL starting caliber players along the line. It will have to be addressed soon...

[katmandu]

We will need to comb the FA market for a couple decent DL...Hood and Heyward are going to work out nicely, but we need Casey's replacement (draft?) and at least 2 good back-ups behind them beyond what we already have.Exactly.

Hoke has been an awesome NT for us. Absolutely NO drop off whenever he stepped in for Big Snack. Hoke could have been a starter for any team in the NFL.

McClendon is a beast an is the future starting NT for us. We really need to find a high quality backup to groom.