Steelers' Ryan Shazier remains hospitalized, begins physical rehab
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has started physical rehabilitation as he continues to recover from a serious spinal injury, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
UPMC said in a statement released Thursday that Shazier remains hospitalized after undergoing spinal stabilization surgery last week. He suffered the injury Dec. 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"Further updates will be provided by UPMC," the hospital said in the statement.
Shazier was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his 2017 season.
A first-round draft pick in 2014, the 25-year-old Shazier has served as an inspiration for the Steelers since suffering his injury. He watched Sunday's game from a hospital bed, then joined the team in the locker room courtesy of FaceTime.
"I go see him, man he wants to talk about the game plan," Tomlin told reporters Tuesday. "He wants to talk about how the guys are doing. He wants to talk specifically about what’s transpiring in practice settings and so forth. That's Ryan."
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.
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