Former Ohio State linebacker and current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is showing gradual improvement following spinal surgery, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Shazier was injured during a Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, when attempting to make a tackle in the first quarter. He was carted from the field after it appeared he had little to no movement in the lower half of his body.
The linebacker was held at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for two days before being transferred to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and undergoing spinal stabilization surgery on Wednesday.
Reports from ESPN's Michelle Steele indicate that Shazier's 2017 season is over and that his football career remains in question.
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."
The Steelers are set to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football at 8:30 p.m., with many of Shazier's teammates wearing cleats to honor him.
