C6/c7 small central protrusion, almost herniation but not touching spinal cord. does it heal on its own? sports i should avoid?

Avoid axial load: Anything that would push your head toward your feet will not be good for your discs. Soccer headers, football, high diving, carrying stuff on your head--an ancient sport, see picture. Relying on minimal image findings is not the thing. Clinical course is the key. In older folks the rule is 30% get better, 30% get worse and 30% stay the same. I suspect odds in a younger pt. are better.