Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood has been forced to retire due to a serious neck injury, according to Scout Fantasy.

Wood later confirmed in the news in a tweet, which also detailed how he came to discover the injury even though it wasn't obvious that he was seriously hurt.

“I was diagnosed with a neck injury as part of my season-ending physical with the Bills. After consultation with Dr. Cappuccino and other physicians, I was informed that I was no longer cleared to play football, even with surgery or further treatment.”

Wood also expressed his appreciation for people’s thoughts and prayers. He will hold a press conference on Monday to provide further details on his situation.

The 31-year-old Wood was drafted in the first round out of Louisville by the Bills in 2009 and spent his entire nine-year NFL career in Buffalo. He was second to defensive tackle Kyle Williams among Buffalo's longest-tenured active players. He was a Pro Bowler in 2015.

Wood was a key contributor in helping end Buffalo’s 17-year playoff drought this season. He was the only Bills offensive player to be on the field for every snap in 2017.

Wood had just signed a two-year contract extension in August that ran through the 2019 season. He has an $8.6 million cap number in 2018 that includes a $4.8 million base salary that is guaranteed for injury.

With Wood gone, Ryan Groy is the main candidate currently on the roster to take his starting center spot next season. Groy, 27, has been with the Bills since 2015 and took over at center when Wood went down with a broken leg in 2016.