Pittsburgh Steelers: GM Colbert announces Ryan Shazier’s status for 2018
By Derek Snyder
![KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f05ba42cdedbfa63b41089518f8dae91bf774848511ac31571a6ef05b380f67e.jpg)
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager, Kevin Colbert, announced Ryan Shazier’s status for the 2018 regular season on Wednesday morning.
Since Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Ryan Shazier, went down with a severe spinal injury against the Cincinnati Bengals last December, we’ve all been wondering what that means for his football career. While that’s definitely not the most important thing right now, it is something we’ve all been thinking about – especially with the 2018 NFL Draft right around the corner.
It was clear in Shazier’s absence, the Steelers don’t have the depth and experience at the middle linebacker position to be successful. They have enough defensive talent to keep the ship on course, but not to win a championship.
That makes the availability of Shazier extremely important to Pittsburgh moving forward, but after seeing Gerry Dulac’s article on Wednesday morning, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be able to play next year anyway.
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Take a look at the report from Gerry Dulac’s article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
"Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Wednesday Ryan Shazier will not play in 2018 — the first official declaration the injured Pro Bowl inside linebacker will not immediately return to the team.“We know that and he knows that,” Colbert said at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.Colbert said Shazier, though, will continue to be around the team working on rehab and sitting in on meetings and film sessions."
I believe we all knew that Shazier wouldn’t be able to play in 2018, but at least this makes everything certain. While I’d love to see the former Buckeyes superstar back on the field next year, it’s more important he gets healthy and goes through the rehab process in his own timing.
Remember, this was a guy who was just able to begin walking again, which means there’s zero reason why he needs to try and get himself back on the field in 2018.
Next: Steelers: Is defensive help coming from the 2018 national champions?
For now, the Steelers would be smart to try and invest in a young middle linebacker. Whether it’s the draft or free agency, Pittsburgh must find Shazier’s replacement ASAP.