Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz announced that defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch has a bulging disk in his neck, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Vanden Bosch needs surgery, and will be placed on injured reserve.

Signed to a four-year, $26 million contract, which included $10 million in guarantees, Vanden Bosch has brought much-needed leadership to the Lions' front four, which has been a disruptive unit with arrivals of Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams, and 2010 first-round pick Ndamukong Suh.

In 11 games this season, Vanden Bosch has 49 tackles and 4 quarterback sacks, and is tied with Suh for the team lead with 12 quarterback hits.