The Leicester Tigers and England tighthead prop was diagnosed after experiencing weakness during a gym session at St George’s Park with the national squad last week and will miss the rest of the RBS 6 Nations.
Cole will have further specialist assessment this week.
Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “It’s very disappointing news for us and for England, and obviously for Dan, but his long-term fitness is more important. He'll have time to get over this issue and come back when the medical teams are satisfied with his progress.”
England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It’s massively disappointing for Dan, Leicester and England but the important thing is that this has been diagnosed and that Dan gets the appropriate rest and treatment.
“Our medics are working closely with Leicester’s to come up with a programme that will ensure Dan returns is in the best possible shape.”
While Cole drops out of the England squad preparing for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland at Twickenham, Ben and Tom Youngs and the uncapped Ed Slater join up with their national team colleagues after all three started in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership victory over Gloucester.
England squad:
Forwards
David Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Matt Mullan (London Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Backs
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
