Pittsburgh Steelers Expect LB Ryan Shazier Back Sunday

Pittsburgh Steelers Expect To Get LB Ryan Shazier Back Vs Colts

By Phil Watson | Oct 21, 2014

Sep 21, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) gets pushed out of bounds by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier has been out the last four games with a sprained knee but is expected to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Pittsburgh Steelers thought about activating rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier for their 30-23 win over the Houston Texans, but opted against it.

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However, coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he expects both Shazier and safety Shamarko Thomas to play Sunday when they host the

Indianapolis Colts

Shazier has been out since spraining his knee against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 21. In three games, the 15th overall pick out of Ohio State has 20 tackles and one pass defensed.

Shazier ran on the field Monday night, as did Thomas, before the decision was made to deactivate both players.

"“At the 11th hour we decided to use some other people,” Tomlin told reporters, per ESPN.com. “We expect both guys to be extremely close (to returning).”"

Thomas has been in and out of the lineup in recent weeks because of a balky hamstring. He has missed the last two games for Pittsburgh and in the five games he’s been active, he has a tackle and a forced fumble.

Thomas was a fourth-round pick by the Steelers out of Syracuse in 2013. He had 29 tackles in 14 games as a rookie last season.

The Steelers improved to 4-3 with their come-from-behind win Monday night and are third in the NFC North behind the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) and Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1).

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