LATROBE — A neck injury suffered by Pittsburgh Steelers reserve center Chukky Okobi may be career threatening, coach Bill Cowher said Tuesday.

The sixth-year veteran complained of neck pain last week and was held out of some contact drills, but the pain persisted and team doctors checked him out Tuesday morning. Okobi has a herniated disc in his neck, an injury that could threaten his season and possibly his career, Cowher said.

"It could be very significant," Cowher said. "I don't want to give you any more than that, but it does not look good."

Okobi, 27, was a fifth-round draft pick by the Steelers in 2001 after playing center in front of Saints quarterback Drew Brees at Purdue.