Steelers’ Ryan Shazier to Stay in Hospital a Second Night After Scary Injury

Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts as he is carted off the field after a injury against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 4, 2017. (John Grieshop/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier will remain in a Cincinnati hospital for a second night after suffering a spine injury during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shazier, 25, is not expected to require surgery after suffering the back injury. He was taken off the field on a stretcher before being transported to a hospital via ambulance, according to ESPN.

The crown of his helmet hit Bengals receiver Josh Malone before he dropped to the turf, clutching his back.

Players got emotional and circled around him as he was injured on the field. After a long injury delay, he was strapped to a board and taken off the field. There were fears that he might have been paralyzed.

“Ryan Shazier continues to be hospitalized at UC Health’s University of Cincinnati Medical Center and has undergone a series of tests to evaluate his spine injury,” doctors David Okonkwo and Joseph Cheng said in a statement about Shazier’s condition. “He will continue to be monitored and treated by the neurosurgery experts at UC Medical Center until he has been cleared to return to Pittsburgh.”

The exact severity of his injury was not disclosed.

“Ryan’s injury will not require surgery at this time, and he continues to improve,” Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert said after the game, reported The New York Times. “He will stay overnight to continue evaluations with the hopes of returning to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.”

Coach Mike Tomlin visited Shazier Tuesday.

“It was a tough evening. Ryan is a trooper,” Tomlin said.

“Had an opportunity to spend some time with him; he is in really good spirits, tough guy. He has great support from family and loved ones there. It was painful to get on that plane last night. That’s life. We realize and understand he is in really good hands and getting expert medical care. He also challenged us to move on with what it is we need to move on, and he is with us as well.”

Shazier leads the Steelers in tackles (87), forced fumbles (2), and interceptions (3).