Ryan Shazier, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, suffered a catastrophic spinal injury on the field this season. However, his rehab is progressing in an extremely positive direction.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Ryan Shazier was released from the UPMC Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, adding, “has regained movement in his legs and is engaging in a regular walking routine, according to sources.”
Shazier, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was injured on a mundane tackle on Dec. 4. He lay motionless on the field for sometime and replay of his physical reaction after the injury implied that he had suffered a catastrophic and possibly paralyzing spinal cord injury. Shazier underwent spinal surgery on Dec. 6 and has been progressing ever since.
Schefter added these additional details about his rehab and recovery process:
"The next three to six months are critical in his recovery and will provide a significant idea how much more function Shazier can regain. But for now, the fact that he is out of the hospital and moving his legs and walking is a positive sign."
Injuries were a constant storyline in the NFL this season, with a slew of concussions, as well as a litany of injuries to high-profile stars like Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck. Injuries are a part of any sport in any season but, as 538 pointed out, this year was particularly bad, especially for quarterbacks.
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Having Shazier out of the hospital, with feeling in his legs, and walking as part of his rehab is a great positive twist to help cap off this NFL season. He obviously has a long road to recovery and likely may never be on a football field again, but the end of a career pales in seriousness to simply recovering physically from this injury.