Former Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier underwent spinal stabilization surgery on Wednesday night, two days after suffering a spinal injury in the Pittsburgh Steelers' game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, the Steelers announced in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
Statement from UPMC Neurosurgeons & #Steelers Team Physicians on Ryan Shazier pic.twitter.com/nE7xgsx7Tx
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 7, 2017
Shazier suffered the injury while making a tackle on Bengals receiver Josh Malone during the first quarter of Monday night's game.
An initial statement by Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert early Tuesday stated that Shazier's injury would not require surgery at that time, and there was optimism that Shazier would be able to make a full recovery. Since then, however, statements from the Steelers have only indicated that the former Ohio State linebacker has continued to monitored and evaluated, with no indication on whether his condition has improved.
Dr. Anthony Alessi, a neurologist who consults with the NFL Players' Association, told ESPN's Michele Steele that the spinal stabilization surgery could mean that Shazier's injury is career-ending.
Alessi says surgery is needed when the "bones around his spinal cord are dislocated. This is a more severe injury (than a contusion.)"
— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) December 7, 2017
"This is a much more severe situation on our hands than we thought."
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported that Shazier's surgery "will necessitate months of recovery."
#Steelers LB Ryan Shaziers spinal surgery will necessitate months of recovery, sources say, before he considers a return to football. His season is over. A very difficult situation.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2017
