Steelers LB Shazier to remain in hospital with spinal injury
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier will remain in a Cincinnati hospital until at least Wednesday to undergo further testing on a spinal injury suffered in the first quarter of Monday night’s win over the Bengals. Shazier left Paul Brown Stadium on a stretcher less than four minutes into his team’s 23-20 victory over Cincinnati following a tackle that left the 25-yearold writhing on the turf, his legs motionless. He underwent extensive testing overnight, with the team saying Shazier’s injury did not require surgery “at this time.”
The Steelers had hoped Shazier would be able to return to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The timetable has been pushed back at least 24 to 48 hours. He will remain at University of Cincinnati Medical Center under the care of neurosurgeons David Okonwko and Joseph Cheng. Shazier is expected to be transferred to a Pittsburgh hospital later in the week.
Smith-Schuster, Iloka suspended
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback George Iloka were suspended one game each by the NFL for violating league safety rules.
Smith-Schuster was flagged for unnecessary roughness and taunting after a blindside hit on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s 2320 victory Monday night. Iloka was penalized for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Both players appealed the punishment, and the hearings were held Tuesday. Smith-Schuster’s suspension was upheld by appeals officer James Thrash. A decision on Iloka’s appeal is expected Wednesday.
Smith-Schuster will sit out the Steelers’ game against the Ravens on Sunday night. If he loses his appeal, Iloka will miss the Bengals’ game against the Bears.
Gronkowski’s 1-game ban upheld
The NFL denied Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s appeal of a one-game suspension for a late, gratuitous hit to the head of Bills defensive back Tre’Davious White.
White was face down on the sideline after intercepting a pass in Buffalo on Sunday when Gronkowski bodyslammed him, driving his forearm into White’s back and head. Gronkowski was called for unnecessary roughness but not kicked out of the game. White went into the concussion protocol.
Gronkowski, who apologized for the hit, will serve his ban against Miami on Monday night.
Odds and ends
The Bills placed wide receiver Jordan Matthews (knee) and defensive end Shaq Lawson (ankle) on injured reserve, ending their seasons. … The Broncos placed defensive end Derek Wolfe on injured reserve with a neck injury. …
Falcons guard Andy Levitre will miss a game for the first time in his NFL career. The nineyear veteran won’t play Thursday night against the Saints because of a triceps injury. … The Bears put right guard Kyle Long (shoulder) on injured reserve for the second straight season.