Samuels: 'You've Definitely Got to Look At Your Health First'

It's not just "physicians" that Samuels is meeting with next Tuesday -- it's a "spinal specialist," and the Pro-Bowl tackle plans to "discuss the severity of his neck injury and how it will affect the rest of his career," this according to Rich Campbell.

"I love playing for this organization," he said, "but when it comes down to it, you've definitely got to look at your health first." [...]

Considering that Samuels, 32, has suffered from spinal stenosis--a narrowing of the spinal canal--since high school, he will carefully weigh his options.

"I have to take it all into account," he said. "It was pretty serious. Any time you're dealing with your spine, you've got to be safe about it."

The team has already sent Samuels' MRI results to "several doctors to get multiple opinions." There is no set date for his return, but it looks like he'll be out at least for the Monday Night game against the Eagles on Oct. 26. Faced with the possibility of losing Samuels, coach Jim Zorn said, "Ugh. Don't put that on me." Spoken like a true leader of men.

Through it all, Samuels is staying optimistic: when asked if his season might be over, he responded, "I don't think so, no." In the meantime, he continues to help out from the sidelines, preparing his backup, Stephon Heyer, as much as possible. "I definitely want to be there to help those guys out. I'm in that group, and those guys elected me to be a captain."