Steelers LB Ryan Shazier Won’t Need Surgery After Back Injury In Win Vs. Bengals

Ryan Shazier won’t be needing back surgery after all.

Ryan Shazier Injury News Week 13

The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker suffered a back injury in the first quarter of Monday’s 23-20 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, general manager Kevin Colbert said Shazier underwent a CT scan and an MRI, and that he will not require surgery.

Shazier — a Pro Bowler whom the Steelers drafted as a first-round pick out of Ohio State in 2014 — was carted off the field after he rammed his helmet into receiver Josh Malone’s thigh. He seemed incapable of moving after the hit.

After the game, Shazier’s teammate Antonio Brown shared this photo:

The linebacker was initially taken to the locker room for a back injury evaluation before being transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“This is a tough game, a tough business,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “5-0 is our brother. Our thoughts and prayers out to him. … We care about that man, we care about all the men. But that’s just a tough element of our game, one that we all understand.”

 Tyler Matakevich, a 2016 seventh-round draft pick, entered the game as Shazier’s replacement next to Vince Williams at linebacker.

Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was also carted off the field later in the night following an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was also penalized for taunting Burfict on the play. Smith-Schuster apologized after the game.

Burfict was ruled out with a head injury, although he later seemed fine, as he ran into the locker room.

The Steelers (10-2, 1st in AFC North) have won seven straight games. They next host Baltimore on Sunday, when the Bengals (5-7) host Chicago.

PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 08: Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass thrown by Matt Moore #8 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter during the Wild Card Playoff game against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field on January 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)