Shazier still targeting Pro Bowl, All-Pro honors after spinal injury
Ryan Shazier vows to get back to playing football and he's giving it everything he's got.
The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker suffered a spinal injury in a Week 13 game on Dec. 4. He was released from the hospital and transitioned to outpatient therapy on Feb. 1. Shazier appeared on Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix's podcast on Tuesday and shared his professional goals.
"I'm really trying to come back and still be a Pro Bowler. Still be All-Pro," Shazier said.
Shazier was having an All-Pro season before his injury. Aside from racking up 89 tackles in 12 games, he added three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
"I gotta get back," Shazier said. "... I'm taking every step of the way. But I'm giving it everything I got."
The 25-year-old recently regained movement in his legs, and still requires assistance to walk.
"The therapists ... they see progression almost every day," Shazier said. "They say some progression they see week to week (in others), they almost see from me day to day."
- With h/t to Steelers Depot