PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Hoge’s Career Might Be in Jeopardy

Fullback Merril Hoge, brought to the Chicago Bears because of his durability and toughness, is hoping to save his career after two concussions in six weeks.

More important, he says, is saving his health.

Hoge, scheduled to see a neurologist in Pittsburgh, already has met with a specialist at Northwestern University.

“A week ago I was doing everything in my power to get back on the field,” Hoge said. “Since this has persisted and lingered beyond my thinking, I’ve changed my tune.”

Hoge suffered his first concussion Aug. 23 in an exhibition game in Kansas City. His second concussion came in an Oct. 2 home game against Buffalo when he was kneed in the head as he was throwing a block. When he missed Sunday’s game against New Orleans, his streak of 112 consecutive games ended.

Since the Buffalo game he has suffered from post-concussion syndrome, amnesia, dizziness, headaches and flu-like symptoms.

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The Seattle Seahawks will be back in the Kingdome for their Nov. 6 game against Cincinnati. Closed since July 19 when four acoustical ceiling tiles crashed into the empty stands before a Seattle Mariner game, the Kingdome is undergoing a $32.5-million overhaul.

The Seahawks played their first five home games--two exhibitions and three regular-season games--at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium.