Ryan Shazier reportedly has feeling in legs

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 08: Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) extends his arms while being announced during the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 8, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Photo by Mark Alberti/ Icon Sportswire) /

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier has feeling in his legs, and that’s the best news we’ve heard yet in 2018.

On Dec. 4, 2017, Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier went to make a tackle. Everything appeared normal for a moment. Then, Shazier frantically grabbed at his lower back before staying on the cold turf of Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Ultimately, Shazier was rushed to a nearby hospital, with scant updates following. Now, we have one of the best imaginable. According to his father, Shazier has feeling in his legs and is continuing to improve.

Shazier, 25, had 89 tackles on the season before going on Injured Reserve with the aforementioned back injury. Pittsburgh has struggled at times defensively without him, losing in the final seconds to the New England Patriots before allowing 28 points to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.

In both 2016 and ’17, Shazier was named to the Pro Bowl after a stellar career at Ohio State, making him a first-round selection. While the All-Pro teams are yet to be announced, it’s a good bet that Shazier will wind up on one of them.

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Without Shazier, the Steelers reached the AFC playoffs as the No. 2 seed, waiting to face either the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs or Tennessee Titans in the Divisional round. Pittsburgh has not gone to the Super Bowl since losing in 2010 to the Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers first playoff game will come in the early window next Sunday on CBS, with the winner advancing to the AFC Championship Game.