STEELERS’ LB SHAZIER ON IR
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed linebacker Ryan Shazier on injured reserve for the 2018 season to give him more time to recover from spinal stabilization surgery.
The team made the move Wednesday, which will open up a roster spot for the AFC North champions as they begin organized team activities later this month.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert ruled Shazier out for 2018 earlier this year. Shazier, injured in a game at Cincinnati last December, walked publicly for the first time in nearly five months when he strode onto the stage to announce Pittsburgh’s firstround pick in last week’s NFL draft.
The 25yearold Shazier has remained active in the organization during his rehabilitation.
Player files grievance against NFL.
The NFL players’ union says former 49ers safety Eric Reid filed a grievance against the league, alleging that he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners.
Reid had joined former teammate Colin Kaepernick two seasons ago in kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality.
Kaepernick wasn’t signed for the 2017 season following his release in San Francisco. Reid continued the quarterback’s protests. The 26yearold safety became a free agent this offseason when his rookie contract with the 49ers expired.
Kaepernick previously filed a collusion grievance.
Gordon gets fifth year.
CALIF.» The COSTA MESA,
Chargers exercised their fifthyear contract option for 2019 on running back Melvin Gordon.
Gordon finished fifth in the NFL with 1,581 yards from scrimmage during the Chargers’ relocation season, while his 1,105 yards rushing were seventh in the league.
The Wisconsin product was the 15th overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Footnotes.
A person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the Giants have declined to pick up the fifthyear option of offensive tackle Ereck Flowers’ contract. … The Jaguars declined to exercise the fifthyear option in defensive end Dante Fowler’s rookie contract. … The Browns traded tight end Randall Telfer to the Chiefs for defensive end Dadi Nicolas. … A Houston woman hired by former Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem to manage his finances has been arrested. accused of stealing more than $1 million from him. — The Associated Press