Steelers’ Shazier won’t play in 2018, GM says

Linebacker Ryan Shazier will not play next season after suffering a spinal injury, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Wednesday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

“He knows that and we know that,” Colbert told the Pittsburgh PostGazette. “We’re going to continue to support him in his recovery. We know that going into this season he won’t play, and he’ll end up on a different type of list once we get a determination from the league as to where he’ll end up.”

Shazier, a former Ohio State standout, seriously injured his spinal cord Dec. 4 at Cincinnati, and he was released from an inpatient facility in February.

"He will be part of our team officially, and really unofficially because he's still with us day to day as he rehabs," Colbert said. "He involves himself in team issues so he can be a formidable member in 2018."

Placing Shazier on an exemption list will leave the Steelers with 89 players available for next season.

He is due $ 8.7 million for the fifth- year option the team picked up last April.

“Fortunately for Ryan, he’s covered ( financially) in that manner, that he will be part of our team officially and also unofficially, because he’s still with us day to day as he rehabs,” Colbert said. “He involves himself with the team and team issues so that he can be a formidable member in 2018.”

Speaking on teammate Roosevelt Nix's podcast last week, Shazier outlined plans to play again.