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Steelers GM reveals Ryan Shazier's status for next season

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When Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a spinal cord injury in a December game at Cincinnati, there was concern he might never walk again.

Nearly three months after the injury, Shazier’s recovery continues and the linebacker appears to be not only on the path to walking again, but also hopeful of resuming his football career.

A return to the football field is not happening, however — at least this season.

Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine that Shazier will not play this season.

“Ryan Shazier won’t play in 2018. He knows that and we know that,” Colbert said. “We’re going to continue to support him in his recovery.”

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The team will have to place Shazier on some type of injury designation in order to open a roster spot.

Shazier, though, will continue to be around the team working on rehab and sitting in on meetings and film sessions.

“Fortunately for Ryan, he’s covered in that manner and he will be part of our team, officially and really unofficially. He’s still with us day to day as he rehabs. He involves himself with the team and in team issues, and will be a formidable member in 2018,” Colbert says.

Should Ryan Shazier attempt a comeback to the NFL?

Shazier suffered a spinal contusion while attempting to make a tackle hit Dec. 4 against the Bengals. He underwent a surgical procedure after the hit and has been rehabbing the injury.

Last week, Shazier confirmed an NBC Sports report that he still needs to use a walker or be assisted by others as part of his rehab walking program.

Shazier said recently that he still plans on returning as a player.

“I’ve gotta get back, bro,” Shazier told teammate Roosevelt Nix on Nix’s podcast. “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”

More than wanting simply to return as a player, he told Nix he wants to play at a level worthy of him being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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“Since I’ve been in college, I really wanted to go to the Hall of Fame, I still want to go to the Hall of Fame,” Shazier said. “All my goals are like making me want to go to the Hall of Fame.”

Since the injury, Shazier has been very open about the role his faith has played in his recovery.

In a tweet he posted last week, Shazier said his love for God “has only grown through this trial and I’m trusting God and that all things work together for his good.”

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Scott Kelnhofer is a writer for The Western Journal and Conservative Tribune. A native of Milwaukee, he currently resides in Phoenix.
Scott Kelnhofer is a writer for The Western Journal and Conservative Tribune. He has more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism. A native of Milwaukee, he has resided in Phoenix since 2012.
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