Ryan Shazier

Shazier hasn't played since 2017. The Steelers placed him on the reserved/retired list back in March. Shazier made the Pro Bowl twice in his first four seasons before getting shut down with spinal surgery. The 28-year-old will move into a post-football career.

This basically ends any chance of Shazier returning to the football field after sustaining a life-altering back injury in 2017, but it does allow him to continue using the Steelers' resources for his recovery. The Rooney family has been gracious with their commitment to Shazier, who has made impressive progress the last two years all things considered. A two-time Pro Bowler with super star potential, Shazier is the latest example of how fragile a career in the NFL can be given it's violence. Only 27 years old, we wish Shazier a fantastic post-football career if that's what it has come to.

Shazier suffered a severe spinal injury in December 2017 and wasn't able to walk until April 2018. He spent the past two seasons under contract with the Steelers, staying on the reserve/PUP list. Shazier's contract is expected to expire this offseason, but the Steelers may decide to re-sign him for the veteran's minimum of $820,000. His role with the team last season included mentoring rookie linebacker Devin Bush, the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Since suffering a spinal injury Dec. 4, 2017, Shazier has embarked on a lengthy recovery effort with the aim to take the field again at some point, "I definitely want to play," he said in January. "I am putting everything into it." As evidence, Shazier posted a video on Instagram of himself performing a box jump with some assistance in early April. While he won't play in 2019, the Steelers will keep the linebacker around with the hope he'll return to football in some capacity.