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The Pittsburgh Steelers made a move which everyone knew was coming, but solidifies the reality which surrounds injured linebacker Ryan Shazier. Wednesday the team placed Shazier on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Steelers have placed LB Ryan Shazier on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. The Pro Bowler was not going to play in 2018 due to his spinal injury. Team owes him $8.7 million as part of his fifth-year option.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 2, 2018
Steelers placed LB Ryan Shazier on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List, which means he will not count against 90-man offseason roster.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 2, 2018
The move keeps Shazier in the Steelers organization, officially ends his 2018 season and he still is guaranteed the $8.7 million dollars he is owed through his 5th year option which was picked up by the team.
Shazier has made tremendous progress since injuring his back against the Cincinnati Bengals in December, but after stabilization surgery, and aggressive rehabilitation, Shazier shocked the football world by walking onto the stage to read the team’s first round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Nonetheless, with all the progress he is making, it still is a shock to think about where Shazier’s life has gone in just the past few months. From being on top of his game, to being at least partially paralyzed from the waist down to learning how to walk again. When it isn’t easy on the fans, you can’t even imagine how difficult it has to be for Shazier himself. Luckily for him, and his family, he is guaranteed his money for this season, and he can focus solely on getting healthier.
We here at BTSC, and fans around the globe, wish Shazier nothing but the best. We will always SHALIEVE!