Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins underwent neck surgery Thursday night and is optimistic he will play next season, CBS Sports reported Friday.
The procedure involved a single fusion in Collins' neck vertebrae and was considered a success, according to the report. Collins has been ruled out for the remainder of the season but has not been placed on injured reserve. Tthe move is considered inevitable, however, and could come before Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, per the report.
Collins suffered the neck injury during the Packers' Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers when running back Jonathan Stewart landed on top of Collins' helmet while attempting to hurdle the three-time Pro Bowl safety. He was taken off the field on a stretcher.
Collins spent the night in the hospital and returned to Green Bay on Sept. 19 to meet with the team's medical staff.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
