PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke’s injured neck will require surgery that could put the reliable veteran’s career in jeopardy.

Hoke is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The 35-year-old visited with doctors on Monday to take a second look at the stinger he sustained against Jacksonville on Oct. 16.

Though the team hasn’t placed Hoke on season-ending injured reserve, several of his teammates said Tuesday they’re preparing to finish the year without him.

“It’s different, but the train rolls on,” defensive end Brett Keisel said.

Hoke is the second longtime member of Pittsburgh’s defensive front to suffer a career-threatening injury this season. Aaron Smith was placed on injured reserve Oct. 22 with neck issues of his own.

Defensive lineman Steve McClendon said he expected to see Hoke in meetings on Tuesday but was told by position coach John Mitchell that Hoke would be out indefinitely.