Ryan Shazier returned to Pittsburgh Steelers practice for the first time since suffering a severe spinal injury in December that resulted in him being carted off the field in Cincinnati before undergoing spinal stabilization surgery.
The 25-year-old linebacker posted a picture of himself on Instagram in a wheelchair inside the Steelers’ indoor practice facility. Previously Ryan’s father Vernon Shazier told Pittsburgh Channel 11 that his son has feeling in both legs and is ‘making progress daily.’
‘I want to thank the Lord for the first downs that he has been allowing me to achieve,’ Shazier wrote on Instagram. ‘The touchdown is going to come in his timing, but today was a first down. I was finally able to make it to practice with my teammates. It’s great to be back for practices and meetings. Just to be able to feel a part of it means the world.’
Shazier suffered the injury in a collision with Cincinnati Bengals receiver Josh Malone while he was attempting to make a tackle on a Monday night game on December 4. Shazier was placed on a backboard and transported to a Cincinnati-area hospital. After some initial optimism, doctors performed spinal stabilization surgery on December 7.
Ryan Shazier posted a picture of himself on Instagram in a wheelchair inside the Steelers’ indoor practice facility on Wednesday, marking the first time he’s been back since the injury
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
‘So I’m working harder than I ever have to get back,’ read the remainder of Shazier’s post. ‘I’ve been making strides over the past month and continue to make progress. Taking it day-by-day, but I’m far from done. The Lord has not finished his work yet.
‘I want to say thank you to the fans and Steelers Nation for the prayers,’ he continued. ‘If it wasn’t for my family, friends and your prayers I wouldn’t be [where] I am now. They have lifted me and my family through this journey and I ask for you to continue praying for me, as I continue to work daily on improving my health.’
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had Shazier on his mind while talking to reporters before practice Wednesday as the team prepares for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game at Heinz Field.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger: ‘You have to treat every game like it could be your last because you never know when it is’
‘You have to treat every game like it could be your last because you never know when it is,’ Roethlisberger said when he was asked about the possibility of his own retirement. ‘We saw an example obviously earlier this season with Ryan. You never know when it could be your last. I’m hoping it’s not his last, but you have to go out and play every play and enjoy every play and every game like it could be your last.’
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.
‘He’s much better,’ Vernon said, ‘but we’ve agreed to keep his progress private until he’s ready to share where he’s at.’
Ryan Shazier underwent surgery to stabilize his spine on December 7 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital. 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.
A young Steelers fan holds a sign supporting Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Ryan Shazier
A Baltimore Ravens fan holds up a sign honoring Ryan Shazier on December 10
Shazier’s father Vernon believes his son will play again but did not say if Ryan has walked yet