Ryan Shazier Fantasy Stats

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (neck) officially announced his retirement from football on Wednesday. Shazier had been out of football since the 2017 season when he suffered a debilitating spine injury. It's a true shame that the 28-year-old's career had to end much too soon because of an injury that almost completely paralyzed him. Shazier was a two-time Pro Bowler with Pittsburgh and had 201 solo tackles, seven sacks, seven interceptions, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 46 games over four seasons. It's another reminder of how dangerous football can be and how a serious injury can cut short a potentially great career.

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed linebacker Ryan Shazier (neck) on the Reserve/Retired list on Tuesday as a way to keep him in the organization. Shazier has spent the last two seasons on the team's Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list after suffering a serious spinal injury on Dec. 4, 2017. He was the team's first-round pick in 2014 (15th overall) and was a Pro Bowler in 2016. Shazier has made strides in his rehab, but there's still no guarantee that he can ever play football again. In 46 career games, he has 299 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven interceptions, 25 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has been impressed with rookie linebacker Devin Bush, who the Steelers traded up to get with the 10th overall pick. "I think he's going to make a lot of splash for us. He's going to be a big-time player for us," Shazier said. Shazier continues to make progress in his recovery from a spinal injury he suffered in 2017, but he will not play this year. Bush is the inside linebacking presence that Pittsburgh needs in order for their defense to return to the elite ranks among the NFL. They have the potential to become fantasy relevant this year, but fantasy owners can probably wait and see.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Tuesday that linebacker Ryan Shazier's (spine) contract will be tolled into the 2019 season. He'll remain on the roster and will eventually be placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Shazier continues to improve after a scary spinal injury in 2017. "We will continue to support Ryans efforts to return to play," said general manager Kevin Colbert. "Although he wont be able to help us on the field in 2019, his leadership, insight, and emotional support have always been very valuable to us, and we look forward to his contributions in our pursuit of a championship." It would be an incredible story if the former first-round pick makes it back to the NFL, but it won't happen in 2019.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said that linebacker Ryan Shazier (back) will not play in 2018. Shazier suffered a terrible back and spine injury in a blindside hit against the Bengals late in the season, and the future of his career was seriously in question. It looks like Shazier may be able to play again, but he won't be back in 2018. That's a big blow to Pittsburgh's overall defense, as Shazier had become the heart and soul.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney said he expects linebacker Ryan Shazier (spine) to be apart of the team in some capacity in 2018. "I expect Ryan is going to be here one way or the other and have a roll on the team one way or other in 2018," Rooney said. Shazier has been released from the hospital after back surgery, but he'll have a long rehab road in order to play football again, and it's unclear how effective he'll be if he returns. But if Shazier returns to pre-injury form at some point, there's no question that Pittsburgh's defense will be better off with him in the fold.

Updating an earlier report, Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (back surgery) is not yet able to walk on his own. Reports surfaced Sunday that Shazier had begun a walking routine. While Shazier has regained movement in his legs, he is still not able to walk without the assistance of a walker or other people. The 25-year-old is two months removed from spinal stabilization surgery.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (back surgery) has begun walking, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Shazier was released from the hospital Thursday after suffering a career-threatening spine injury in a Week 13 game against Cincinnati. One source told ESPN that the linebacker is making "incredible progress." Per Schefter, the next 3-6 months are pivotal in Shazier's recovery, though the fact that he has regained movement in his legs and is already walking is obviously phenomenal news. While Shazier coming back to the Steelers would be a huge boost for fantasy reasons, the fact that he seemingly will be able to live a normal life is much more important.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (spine) was released from The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Thursday after having spinal-stabilization surgery in December. He'll continue with outpatient work, and he posted a picture on Instagram showing him standing with a brace on one leg. Shazier suffered a potentially career-threatening spinal injury against the Bengals in December, and it's still unknown if he'll return to football in 2018, but it's a great sign he's out of the hospital. One thing is crystal clear: Pittsburgh's defense is in much better shape when Shazier is on the field.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (back) was able to attend his team's practice for the first time since suffering a scary back injury on December 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shazier had surgery to stabilize his spine and has been recuperating since. His ability to even be at practice as an onlooker is a step in the right direction for a man who had temporarily lost feeling in his legs after the injury. Many of his teammates indicated that Shazier's presence was uplifting for them as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. We still don't know whether Shazier will ever play football again but he has been making incremental progress in his recovery.