Ryan

Shazier

Shazier hasn’t played since 2017. The Steelers placed him on the reserved/retired list back in March. Shazier made the Pro Bowl twice in his first four seasons before getting shut down with spinal surgery. The 28-year-old will move into a post-football career.

This basically ends any chance of Shazier returning to the football field after sustaining a life-altering back injury in 2017, but it does allow him to continue using the Steelers’ resources for his recovery. The Rooney family has been gracious with their commitment to Shazier, who has made impressive progress the last two years all things considered. A two-time Pro Bowler with super star potential, Shazier is the latest example of how fragile a career in the NFL can be given it’s violence. Only 27 years old, we wish Shazier a fantastic post-football career if that’s what it has come to.

“You’re dealing with a young man who is trying to regain his career. We’ll always support that,” said Colbert. “There’s no ceiling and there’s no time frame on the possibility of his returning.” Shazier hasn’t seen the field for Pittsburgh since undergoing spinal surgery in 2017. Shazier’s contract for 2018 tolled to the next season due to his injury and while owner Art Rooney hopes the two sides can work something out, it’s unclear if the Steelers will continue to roster him. The two-time Pro Bowler has made remarkable progress since his injury, though Shazier’s odds of playing again are still slim.

It is a salary cap maneuver, allowing less of Shazier’s salary to count toward the cap. His contract recently tolled to the 2019 season, meaning he will continue to make the veteran’s minimum as he rehabs his life-changing injury. He has already been ruled out for the year. Although Shazier is making legitimate progress in his recovery, the reality remains that his career is likely through.

It means Shazier will stay with the Steelers making the veteran minimum and, most importantly for his recovery, continue to receive the NFL insurance plan. Like last year, the Steelers will stash Shazier on the reserve/PUP list once they are able to make the move. Shazier’s football future remains up in the air, but this gives him a chance to keep working toward a return.

“He knows that,” Colbert said. “I can’t really speak for him, but I know he still wants to try to play football. We’ll support him. There’s no ceiling on what we would ever say to him as far as him wanting to do that.” The Steelers plan to re-sign Shazier and let him continue his rehab. Shazier is targeting a 2020 return.

Unable to walk on his own a year ago, Shazier is making “amazing progress” according to Rooney. “Almost every week, he’s doing something he wasn’t doing the week before,” Rooney said. “He’s a remarkable young man and an inspiration to everybody around here.” Shazier is set to become a free agent in March, but Rooney has indicated the team wants to re-sign him so he can continue his rehabilitation.

Shazier is still rehabbing from his 2017 back surgery. He remains committed to getting back on the field and the Steelers think he’s shown enough progress to keep around. Shazier’s injury risk should limit him to a veteran minimum deal.

There was never much doubt about his status after Shazier turned in a full practice on Friday. The 24-year-old run-stuffer could make life difficult for Jeremy Hill on Sunday.

Shazier returned to a full practice on Thursday and is on track to play for the first time since Week 3. Vince Williams will head back to the bench upon his return.