Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has feeling in his legs, according to his father Vernon
One month after suffering a severe spinal injury while making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is improving and has regained feeling in his legs.
Without providing specifics on the 25-year-old’s current condition, Ryan’s father Vernon Shazier told Pittsburgh Channel 11 that his son can now feel both legs and is ‘making progress daily.’
After an awkward tackle during that December game in Cincinnati, Shazier was left motionless on the field with an injured back. After some initial optimism, doctors performed spinal stabilization surgery on December 6.
Shazier was carted off the field in Cincinnati on December 4 after an awkward tackle left him without feeling in his legs. He would have spinal stabilization surgery two days later
Shazier’s father Vernon believes his son will play again but did not say if Ryan has walked yet
Describing the night of the incident, Vernon told Channel 11 his son called him shortly after being carted off the field in Paul Brown Stadium.
‘He said, “Daddy, pray for me. I can’t feel my legs,”‘ said, who happens to be a pastor,
‘He’s a long ways from where he was on that Monday night when he was laying on the field,’ he said.
Vernon Shazier declined to answer if his son has walked since the injury, saying Ryan will share ‘where he is at’ when he is ready, but he believes his son will play again.
Ryan Shazier was hospitalized following the hit against the Bengals and underwent surgery to stabilize his spine two days later. He was placed on injured reserve by the Steelers, but attended the team’s home games in Weeks 15 and 17.
The fourth-year linebacker was named a Pro Bowl representative this season after posting 89 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 12 games.
While Vernon Shazier believes his son will play again, others fear that might not be the case.
A Baltimore Ravens fan holds up a sign honoring Ryan Shazier on December 10
According to Dr. Anthony Alessi, a neurologist who consults with the NFL Players Association but who has not examined Shazier, the linebacker’s condition is ‘not good.’
‘He may not play football again,’ Alessi told ESPN’s Michele Steele. ‘This is a much more severe situation on our hands than we thought.’
A spinal stabilization surgery is performed when the bones surrounding a person’s spinal cord are dislocated, Alessi told Steele.
‘Please EVERYONE continue to pray for the Lords healing of Ryan,’ Shazier’s fiancée, Michelle Rodriguez, wrote on Instagram. ‘God bless everyone for the continued support and love for our family at this time. We thank you so much!’
Initially, Shazier’s condition was said to be improving despite the fact that he was left motionless on the ground after tackling Bengals wide receiver Josh Malone. The 25-year-old was strapped to a backboard and taken off, although he was able to move his arms.
‘Ryan Shazier suffered a back injury and was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he had a CT scan and an MRI to evaluate the condition of his back,’ read a statement from Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert.
‘Ryan’s injury will not require surgery at this time, and he continues to improve,’ the statement continued.
Ultimately, though, spinal stabilization surgery was performed.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was said to look distraught as doctors told him of Shazier’s condition. He went from the stadium to the hospital to visit Shazier along with team owner Art Rooney II after Pittsburgh’s 23-20 win.
Shazier, a Pro Bowler from Ohio State, led the team with 87 tackles while compiling two forced fumbles and three interceptions before his season-ending injury.
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) (bottom) injures his back during an awkward tackle in Cincinnati on December 4. He had spinal stabilization surgery two days later