Ryan Shazier has taken some big steps in his recovery from a spinal injury he suffered during the 2017 season, but it remains unclear if he will ever play football again. Should he return, it will not be at any point in 2018.
While speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert confirmed that Shazier is not going to play next season.
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert: “Ryan Shazier won’t play in 2018. He knows that and we know that.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) February 28, 2018
While disappointing, the news is unfortunately not surprising. Shazier suffered the injury in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4, and he recently revealed that he is still unable to walk on his own. Therapists have been raving about the progress the 25-year-old has made, but playing football and walking again are two entirely different accomplishments.
Based on what Shazier said recently about his NFL career, it would be unwise of us to rule anything out. Hopefully he can use the entire 2018 season to gain the strength needed to get back to playing.
