Seahawks RB Chris Carson to have season-ending neck surgery

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll suggested back on Oct. 29 that running back Chris Carson would not play again this season because of the neck injury that forced him on injured reserve after he played in just four games. 

Per Nick Shook of the NFL's website, Carroll confirmed a previous report and announced Friday that Carson will undergo season-ending neck surgery. The 27-year-old ends the campaign with 232 yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries. 

"He worked as hard as he could at it," Carroll said of Carson's attempt at returning to action this fall, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "We look forward to him getting it all taken care of and having a big year next year. . . . He tried like crazy to get it done, but this is so he can play next year." 

The Seahawks sat at 2-2 when Carson went down but have since fallen to 3-6, largely because star quarterback Russell Wilson missed time after he needed surgery to repair the injured middle finger on his throwing hand. Per ESPN stats, Alex Collins emerged as Seattle's leading ball-carrier in Carson's absence with 345 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground on 84 attempts.