Ryan Shazier Put on Reserve/PUP List; Won't Count Against Steelers 90-Man Roster

As Ryan Shazier continues to rehab from his spinal injury suffered last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are working on structuring their roster without the linebacker.

The team announced on Wednesday that it placed Shazier on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List, meaning he will not count against the 90-man roster.

Shazier suffered the injury during a Dec. 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He underwent spinal stabilization surgery a few days later.

Placing him on the PUP list is just a formality that helps Pittsburgh gain an extra roster spot—and it should not come as a surprise.

The linebacker is on the record of saying he is focused on playing football again. However, that will not be happening in 2018, as Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert made it clear at the combine in February that the two-time Pro Bowler will not take the field next season.

This offseason, Shazier has made an appearance at both his alma mater's spring game and the NFL draft. Both times he was met with a huge round of applause, with his walk to the podium one of the highlights of the draft.

"That's a huge lift, for not only him, but for us," Colbert said of Shazier's draft appearance, via Steelers.com's Teresa Varley. "To see where he's come from to where he is and knowing where he might be able to go, it's beyond inspirational. It's just exciting. It's really exciting for him."