Ryan Shazier said he expects to play Saturday night. He's not sure when he will practice this week.
— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_ESPN) August 11, 2014
UPDATE: Ryan Shazier dressed and participated in individual drills only at training camp Monday. A positive step towards the rookie playing this Saturday in the Steelers' second preseason game.
It is being reported by Scott Brown of ESPN that Pittsburgh Steelers first round pick, Ryan Shazier, is expecting to play this Saturday night when the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field.
The inside linebacker has missed the past week of training camp, including the Steelers preseason opener against the New York Giants, due to a nagging injury that is obviously more serious than Mike Tomlin's initial "boo boo" diagnosis.
Shazier would be making his professional debut against the Bills, but as reported, the rookie does not know when he will return to the practice field this week.
It is undoubtedly obvious that Shazier wants to get onto the field, but if he fails to practice fully by Wednesday or Thursday, he could be looking at watching another preseason game in street clothes.
In his place, Sean Spence has been taking the first team snaps and filled in nicely alongside Lawrence Timmons.
The Steelers practice today and tomorrow at 2:55 p.m. ET and both sessions will be open to the public.