49ers center Eric Heitmann is expected to miss his second season in a row after undergoing recent neck surgery. Dr. Robert Watkins, an orthopedic spine surgeon in Marina del Rey, performed the surgery to repair a ruptured disk approximately four weeks ago, according to the player's agent. "The bottom line is that he feels much better, and the pain has dissipated," agent Kenny Zuckerman said. "The tingling has decreased, and his hopes are to play as soon as he's cleared." This type of surgery generally takes approximately six months from which to recover, Zuckerman said. Therefore, it appears unlikely Heitmann will play this season.