Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert (pictured) said Ryan Shazier will not play in 2018 following spinal stabilization surgery
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has continued to make progress following spinal surgery, but even though he has stated his intention to play again after the terrifying injury that left him temporarily without feeling in his legs, the All-Pro will not play in 2018, according to team general manager Kevin Colbert.
‘Ryan Shazier won’t play in 2018. He knows that and we know that. We’re going to continue to support him in his recovery,’ Colbert told reporters, as quoted by ESPN.
‘He will be part of our team officially and really unofficially because he’s still with us day-to-day as he rehabs. He involves himself in team issues so he can be a formidable member in 2018,’ Colbert added.
Shazier recently stated his hope to return to football even though his injury kept him from walking or even standing for several weeks.
Shazier, 25, recently attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game, where he stood and waved to fans after being helped to his feet
Shazier was taken off the field after suffering a back injury during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2017
‘I’ve gotta get back, bro,’ Shazier told teammate Roosevelt Nix on a podcast.
Shazier, 25, underwent surgery on December 6 after making an awkward tackle during a Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati two days earlier. The Ohio State product was left motionless, face down on the turf, before being carted off the field and rushed to the hospital.
After requiring use of a wheelchair for over a month, Shazier was cleared for outpatient rehabilitation on February 1.
Shazier insisted his improvement has been considerable.
‘I’m really trusting the process and I know the end goal, so I’m taking every step of the way,’ Shazier said. ‘My therapists are like, man … the progression they [usually] see every week, they see every day.’
Shazier pictured standing alongside Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
Despite not playing most of the final month of the season, Shazier was voted to his second Pro Bowl in four NFL seasons after recording 68 tackles, three interceptions and a career-best 10 passes defended.
Not only does Shazier feel he can still play, but he also thinks he was snubbed when he didn’t receive an All-Pro selection.
‘I really feel I’m the best linebacker ever,’ Shazier said. ‘I just have to be back out there so everybody can see it. You know what I’m saying?’
Shazier recently attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game, where he stood and waved to fans after being helped to his feet. On Sunday he attended at a Cleveland Cavaliers game, where he was shown on the scoreboard making a large ‘O’ with his arms, in reference to his alma mater, Ohio State.
The fans showered Shazier with applause.
Shazier, a fourth-year veteran, was still a presence at the recent Pro Bowl, as other Steelers players honored their injured teammate with the linebacker pictured on their cleats during the game. Steelers players in the game also wore T-shirts underneath their jerseys to pay tribute to Shazier.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive End Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker James Harrison (92) run out on the field with teammate Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) jersey before a game against the visiting Baltimore Ravens
Ryan Shazier (seen here in a photograph he posted to Instagram on January 25) still hopes to play football again