Report: Ryan Shazier Walking as Rehab Progresses, 'Making Incredible Progress'

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier reportedly has a "regular walking routine" after he was released from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Rehabilitation Institute on Thursday.

Adam Schefter of ESPN provided the update Sunday on the Steelers star's recovery from a spine injury. A source said Shazier is "making incredible progress."

Shazier later offered a clarification on the report of him regaining his "regular walking routine," per Michelle Tafoya of NBC, saying that he still needs the assistance of a walker to walk on his own.

Shazier suffered the injury on a tackle during the team's Dec. 4 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He underwent spinal stabilization surgery two days later.

In early January, his father, Vernon Shazier, told WPXI the linebacker had regained feeling in his legs.

"He's making progress daily," Vernon Shazier said. "He's a long ways from the night when he was laying on the field."

The elder Shazier also said he believed his son would play football again: "Yes, yes I do. I Shalieve. I Shalieve."

Schefter noted the next three to six months are crucial to providing "a significant idea how much more function Shazier can regain."