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Ryan Shazier's Father Says LB Is Making Progress Rehabbing from Spine Injury
December 21, 2017
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has shown positive signs on his road back to recovery from his Dec. 4 spine injury.
"We have seen some improvement that is encouraging," Vernon Shazier, the player's father, said, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "We're taking it one day at a time. We do not know what tomorrow holds. It's a [daily] journey we don't know. But I know God is getting the message."
Shazier has been spending his time at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center while rehabbing from the injury. The UMPC neurosurgeons performed spinal stabilization surgery.
He initially spent two nights at a Cincinnati hospital after collapsing on the field, unable to feel his lower extremities. He couldn't travel until his swelling went down.
Shazier has since left the hospital to appear at Heinz Field for Sunday's game against the Patriots, but he returned for more rehab.
The 25-year-old was placed on injured reserve, but despite missing the past two games, he still leads the Steelers with 89 tackles on the season. He was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl, although he clearly won't be able to compete in the all-star exhibition.
