The Pittsburgh Steeler’s have announced that Ryan Shazier will not play in the 2018 NFL season. This was announced at the NFL Combine by GM Kevin Colbert, there was speculation Shazier could play after his gruesome injury in December.
Ryan Shazier suffered the spinal injury during an early December game against the Cinncinati Bengals and has recently been commenting about his desire to return to the game he loves. Ryan Shazier appeared on teammate Roosevelt Nix’s Podcast and had this to say about his return.
“I’ve gotta get back, bro,…Every day, bro. Every day I’m like — right now, I’m reading a book and it’s basically saying trust the process, bro. I’m really trusting the process and I know the end goal. I’m taking it every step of the way but I’m like, I’m giving it like my football effort, like 1,000, everything I’ve got”
The 25-year-old has been putting a ton of effort into his rehabbing after having spine stabilization surgery. His stay at the facility was expected to last months but Shazier was released on Feb 1. About a month ago Ryan Shazier’s father had stated his son had regained feeling in his legs and on Sunday Shazier said he was walking with the help of a walker.
Steeler’s owner Art Rooney II said he believed they would have a role for Shazier in the future. Shazier embraced this spending time at the team facilities in January, sitting at meetings and attending games to support his teammates.
The Steelers season ended with an AFC divisional round loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They will look to bounce back in 2018 without Shazier on the field as he continues his journey back to the field.
