Retired Seahawks FB Strong has neck surgery

KIRKLAND -- Mack Strong underwent neck fusion surgery Sunday morning, the Seahawks announced Monday.

The fullback was injured in the Week 5 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh, when he herniated discs in his neck. He announced his retirement the next day at an emotional news conference.

It was originally thought that Strong would not need surgery, but he was feeling pain in his neck Friday. He went to see Dr. Stan Herring, who consulted with Dr. Sohail K. Mirza and determined that the discs had herniated further and surgery would be needed to protect the integrity of the spinal cord.

Mirza performed the surgery at Harborview Medical Center. The herniated discs were removed and his third and fourth cervical vertebrae were fused.

Strong is expected to be discharged Tuesday.