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)

Tiger Woods recently said he envisioned a return to competitive golf despite his latest injury, although on Wednesday he seemed to change tunes.

Tiger Woods injury news

“I don’t know what my future holds for me,” the 14-time major champion said during a press conference at Liberty National ahead of the Presidents Cup, where he will serve as an assistant to U.S. captain Steve Stricker.

Woods, 41, underwent his fourth-ever back surgery in April. Last week, he posted a lengthy statement on his website about how he had started hitting 60-yard shots but was not yet cleared to take full shots because his doctors recommended he not twist his back. Since then, he was also arrested following a drunk-driving incident near his home in Florida in late May.

“Overall, I’m very optimistic how I’m progressing,” he said. “Like I said, the pain’s gone, but I don’t know what my golfing body is going to be like because I haven’t hit a golf shot yet.

“So that’s going to take time to figure that out and figure out what my capabilities are going forward. And there’s no rush.”

Woods did not address his DUI nor his subsequent treatment at a facility, although he did say that his back pain was affecting his sleep, as well as his ability to drive and stand for long periods of time. The golfer said he ended up asleep behind the wheel after suffering a bad reaction to pain medication.

The California native has missed all of the major championships over the past two years, made a return to competitive golf last year and earlier this year. He withdrew after a first-round 77 at the Dubai Desert Classic on Feb. 2, where he failed to make a single birdie. His last team competition was the 2013 Presidents Cup, where he went 4-1-0.

“I think it’s great,” said Jim Furyk, an assistant for Stricker and the 2018 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. “I’ve always said that a lot of the guys we have on our team, the younger players on both sides, they grew up when he was our dominant player, the face of the PGA Tour, and they grew up idolizing him.

Woods maintains the record for most matches won in Presidents Cup history with 24, one ahead of Phil Mickelson, who could beat him this week.

In another recent blog post, Woods said he was exercising six days a week.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – DECEMBER 02: Tiger Woods of the United States hits his shot on the second tee during round two of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 2, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Dustin Johnson is expected to play in this year’s Masters Tournament, which begins this Thursday in Augusta, Georgia, despite undergoing a brief injury scare just one day before.

Dustin Johnson Fine After Falling Down Stairs, Injuring Back Before Masters

According to the Masters on the Range broadcast, the 32-year-old American was walking down a few short stairs to the garage to move a car at his rental house when he fell and landed awkwardly on his back and both elbows. Johnson thus suffered a muscular injury in the lower left side of his back below the rib cage (his QL muscle).

Nevertheless, Johnson’s trainer stated the golfer is walking around and will be ready for his tee time on Thursday (2:03 p.m. EST) during Round 1.

“We got him to the point where he got mobility,” Johnson’s trainer, Joey Diovisalvi, told Golf Digest on Thursday morning. “He was up and moving around and definitely going in the right direction. He was very much in an under-control point going to bed last night.

“He was walking around, a lot more mobility, took a couple of practice swings slowly without a club.”

Diovisalvi said he momentarily feared Johnson’s injury would caused him to miss the tournament.

“He told us, ‘I’m going to do everything I can to go out and play tomorrow,'” Diovisalvi said. “That basically is his attitude. He was playing with [his son] Tatum. Life sometimes happens. He’s not angry or upset. I’d say more discouraged.”

Johnson was an 11-2 favorite to win the Masters entering Wednesday, according to Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Following news of his injury, his odds fell to 7-1, the same as Jordan Spieth’s and Rory McIlroy’s.

Nevertheless, Johnson’s support team remains confident he will be able to prepared to play Thursday afternoon.

“The main goal was to control the pain overnight to minimize stiffness and avoid spasms this morning,” said physiotherapist Dr. Ara Suppiah. “The team acted very quickly, which makes a huge difference in getting control of the situation and prognosis.”

The World No. 1 has won three consecutive tournaments — including two World Golf Championships — ahead of the Masters.

Johnson is in the final group for the opening round: he will tee alongside two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and PGA winner Jimmy Walker.

This Masters if the first without golf legend Arnold Palmer, who died last September at age 87. Palmer played in 50 Masters and was an honorary non-hitting starter at last year’s 80th Masters. He won the tournament four times: in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964.

Many famous players have stated the tournament will not be the same without Palmer.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 05: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his tee shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the World Golf Championships Mexico Championship at Club De Golf Chapultepec on March 5, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Justin Heiman/Getty Images)

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will undergo back surgery on Friday for a herniated disc, and is expected to be out several weeks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Rob Gronkowski To Have Back Surgery For Herniated Disc

The Buffalo News’ Vic Carucci first reported the news.

Gronkowski took a big hit two weeks ago from Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, suffering a perforated lung in the process. He also left last week’s victory over the New York Jets with a back injury late in the first quarter.

There is no timeframe for his return, although ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Gronkowski could miss up to two months.

This will be the 27-year-old tight end’s third back surgery. His two previous surgeries came in 2009 when he was at the University of Arizona, (he missed the entire season then) and then in 2013, during his fourth season with the Patriots.

Gronkowski and quarterback Tom Brady were not present for practice on Wednesday. Brady, who is listed as having a knee injury, returned to the field Thursday. Gronkowski has already missed 18 games (not including playoffs) in his career due to injury.

In his 86 games with Gronkowski, Brady has a 104.5 passer rating with a 65.5 completion percentage. Brady’s numbers dip to 84.4 and 57.5 percent without Gronk.

The seventh-year tight end’s rare mix of size and athletic prowess make him a nightmare for linebacker, safeties or cornerbacks in coverage. Since joining the NFL, Gronkowski leads the league in touchdown receptions with 68. Earlier this year, he set the Patriots’ all-time TD record with 69.

The Pats used their injured reserve/return designation on quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Wednesday, so the team wouldn’t be able to place Gronk on injured reserve and activate him if they make a deep playoff run. Each team is allowed to designate only one player to return.

Gronkowski has 25 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns in eight games this season.

In his absence, Martellus Bennett is the logical expected replacement, although he’s also dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries. Brady will also rely on improving rookie Malcolm Mitchell– a receiver with hand the quarterback compared to Gronk’s earlier this year. Backfield receivers Dion Lewis and James White could also now play greater roles as Josh McDaniels attempts to diversify his offense.

The Patriots (9-2), who lead the AFC East, will next host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

DENVER, CO – JANUARY 24: Tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots after a reception during the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

J.J. Watt will need to wait until next season to make a legitimate run at an unprecedented fourth NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

Texans Put DE J.J. Watt On Injured Reserve (Back)

The defensive end re-injured his back during the Houston Texans’ 27-0 loss to the New England Patriots last Thursday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, according to several sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

The Texans also announced they re-signed veteran defensive end Antonio Smith for depth.

Watt could potentially miss the remainder of the season, according to Rapoport. Houston announced Wednesday they placed Watt on injured reserve. Coach Bill O’Brien told reporters he has no idea if his player will need to undergo surgery.

The 27-year-old star missed the entire preseason after having surgery to repair a herniated disk in late July, and is now seeking a second opinion, per ESPN’s Ed Werder. 

“We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead,” O’Brien said. “Obviously, we all feel bad for him.”

Watt has never missed a game in his six-year career, although he has suffered major injuries two of the last four times he has started. He has played in 83 straight regular-season games.

Early Thursday afternoon, the defensive end posted a message to fans on Twitter, saying he “will be back” despite his injury.

“I haven’t missed a game since my sophomore year of high school,” Watt said in the post. “This won’t be fun, but it is necessary in order for me to return to 100% and play at the level that I am capable of playing at.

“Everybody deals with adversity in their lives, many much worse than what I’m going through. I have great people around me, and I appreciate the thoughts and well wishes from all of you. I am looking forward to the fight back to the top and to the next time that I can step back on that field with my brothers to play the game that I love. You are the best fans in the world and I promise to continue to do everything in my power to make you proud.”

Watt will miss at least eight weeks, which means he could be back in action Nov. 27 against the San Diego Chargers. However, a team source told Werder that “I do believe that he will miss the season, but with the new rule this year, if he were to be ready in December, he could come off IR. Long shot.”

Watt also recently revealed that he questioned whether he would play again after tearing several abdominal muscles off the bone in the Texans’ playoff loss to the Chiefs last January. Aggravating his back injury last week, Watt managed less than three tackles and zero quarterback hits for the first time since his rookie year in 2011.

Despite losing Watt, the Texans (2-1) have started the season well defensively. Backed by the linebacking quartet of Jadeveon Clowney, John Simon, Whitney Mercilus and Benardrick McKinney, Houston’s pass rush was the strongest in the NFL in Weeks 1 and 2.

Watt has recorded more sacks per game (0.92) than any player since the statistic was first instituted in 1982.

Smith played for the Texans from 2009-2013, registering 27 of his 47 career sacks with the team.

HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 09: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans warms up before playing against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Former WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks has not wrestled since her stinging loss to Charlotte at SummerSlam 2016 on August 21, where Banks seemed to suffer a serious injury when her opponent dropped her from the middle rope.

WWE’s Sasha Banks Addresses SummerSlam 2016 Back Injury On Raw

The 24-year-old fought on and continued the match, although she evidently looked very weak. She managed to pull a thunderous Hurricanrana reversal on Charlotte, but was eventually unable to retain her title and needed to be helped out of the ring.

Banks’ status has remained unknown since that match, although she sent an ambiguous tweet on Labor Day (Monday) to say she would deliver some “bad news” on Monday night’s episode of Raw. 

Banks, who is nicknamed ‘The Boss,’ entered the ring in the third hour of the show and delivered an emotional speech regarding the Women’s Revolution in WWE and her role in helping the organization move on from the shameful content of the Attitude Era and the “stupid butterfly” belt.

“We did it. We finally became what we deserved all along – to be called ‘Superstars,'” Banks said. “Every time I step in this ring, I do it for every little girl, every little girl who has a dream of being something bigger. I do it for every single person who dreams of being more, that had nothing and was told they couldn’t be anything that was great in life.”

Clearly, Banks hopes to serve as a role model for young girls everywhere. Hopefully, her intended audience will take the message to heart.

Many WWE fans immediately took to social media to express their fear that the wrestler was so severely injured that they were concerned she would retire.

Fortunately for wrestling fans, it was (mostly) all a work. Dana Brooke interrupted Banks and threatened to finish her for good, but Banks responded by hitting Brooke and promising that she’d reclaim her Women’s Championship at the upcoming Clash of Champions pay-per-view event.

Finn Balor emerged as the champion of this year’s SummerSlam, which was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Sasha Banks arrives for WWE RAW at 02 Brooklyn Bowl on April 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett announced Saturday that starting quarterback Tony Romo underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed a broken bone in his back, according to David Helman of the team’s official website.

Tony Romo To Wear Back Brace, Dak Prescott Probable Cowboys Starting QB

Garrett called Romo “day-to-day” and was unwilling to give a timetable for his return. However, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport stated that the quarterback’s “best-case scenario” is returning by mid-season after suffering a compression fracture of his vertebrae, per a source familiar with the situation.

Most media reports are predicting Romo could miss 6-10 weeks, although members of the organization remain hopeful for a 4-6 week recovery.

As a means to help Romo in his recovery, the 36-year-old QB will be wearing a back brace for support over the next few weeks.

“He just going to start getting into rehab and part of his rehab,” Garrett said. “He’s going to be wearing a back brace for now and so you’ll see him around wearing that and again we’ll take his situation day by day like we do with every guy on our team and every injury that we have. He’ll do the things that he’s capable of doing and won’t do the things he’s not capable of doing and hopefully he’ll progress every day.”

The injury is not identical to what Romo suffered in 2014 when a knee to the back against the Redskins broke his transverse process bone. He was able to return to the game in the second half, then missed the following game against the Cardinals, and finally returned two weeks later.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones described the loss of Romo as “a punch to the gut,” and told the Dallas Morning News the team is open to potentially acquiring another quarterback.

Romo was injured three plays into Thursday’s 27-17 preseason loss to the Seahawks, barely moving and clutching his back in pain after taking a hit from behind from defensive end Cliff Avril. Despite lobbying to return, Romo was quickly removed from the lineup in favor of Dak Prescott, who could potentially start for Dallas for the team’s Sept. 11 regular-season opener at home against the Giants.

Before that game, the Cowboys have one preseason game remaining, a home matchup against the Texans on Thursday night. Prescott, a promising 23-year-old, was selected by the Cowboys as a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State earlier this year. He currently leads the NFL in completion percentage (78 percent), passing yards (454), passing touchdowns (5) and quarterback rating (137.8). Nevertheless, Dallas remains aware that the young QB still needs more development.

“We’re not naive enough to think that a rookie QB can come in here and do what (Romo has) done in the preseason,” Jones told KDFW-TV in Dallas. “But at the same time, I think he makes our team feel good and he’s got a great chemistry with the offensive group.”

Jones added that Romo is intent on not seeing a repeat of 2015 play out.

“He’s certainly not deterred,” Jones said. He feels like it’s going to be different. That he can get through this.

“He also feels very confident our team can win games without him while he’s not here. He’s driven to help Dak [Prescott] win football games for us so when he gets back we have a great chance to have a great season, get in the tournament and contend for a championship, nothing’s changed.”

The Cowboys could also turn to first-year Jamiell Showers, 24, as a potential quarterback. Showers was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2015 out of the University of Texas at El Paso.

SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 25, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

After playing only three snaps of Thursday’s 27-17 preseason loss to the Seahawks in Seattle, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was forced out due to injury.

Tony Romo Fine Despite Leaving Cowboys’ 27-17 Preseason Loss To Seahawks Early With Back Injury

Romo, 36, immediately reached for his lower back after being sacked from behind by defensive end Cliff Avril, who slammed Romo’s back into the turf in the first quarter.

“Whenever you take a hit, that was a perfect timed situation,” the veteran QB said. “I was going into a slide. But in a weird way, I feel good about the fact that was probably as tough of a hit I’ve taken on the back as I’ve had in the last five years. From that regard, I feel very lucky that it can hold up and I can keep going.”

Dallas coach Jason Garrett decided to keep Romo out for the rest of the game. Romo did not have any X-Rays, although he spent the second half of the game in the locker room. The team will determine later Friday whether his back injury requires an MRI or other type of testing, a source told ESPN’s Ed Werder. 

“Initially I think he was in a little bit of shock,” Garrett said. “He didn’t feel real good. But once a little time went by, I think he was feeling better, better and better. We don’t think there is anything serious.”

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones joked that he was spending the night in a Seattle hospital to have his heart tested after witnessing his quarterback go down. Romo had back operations twice in 2013, and he missed one game in 2014 with two transverse process fractures. Last season, he missed 12 games with a twice-broken left collarbone that required offseason surgery.

Dallas is 15-4 with Romo as the starter the last two seasons and is 1-12 without him.

Jones stated the back soreness would not prevent Romo from being prepared for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the New York Giants.

“I just think, we, everyone had a scare,” Jones said. “He was not hurt, and he said he wasn’t hurt. He wanted to go back in. He could have gone back in and played.

Nevertheless, Jones added that he commended Garrett for his decision to keep him out for the remainder of the game.

“But I praise Jason. It was his decision. After that, you couldn’t afford for him to get hurt. You would’ve lost everybody had he walked back out there and gotten hurt, whether it was as a result of the first one or not. That was the smart thing to do for the team, for everybody involved here, is to call it a night for him. Certainly nothing at stake there.”

Romo has played only 16 snaps this preseason. The Cowboys will play their final preseason game on Sept. 1 against the Houston Texans, but Romo has not played in a preseason finale since 2006. In two preseason games this year, he has completed 5 of 6 passes for 60 total yards.

“At the moment when you go down, you crunch so your back gets squished, I guess you could say,” Romo said in describing the feeling of the hit. “You almost feel a sensation as if someone gave you a stinger in your shoulder. It just feels hot for a second. That dissipates after a minute and you’re OK. All of those things you felt before with back injuries, those are all fine. Then your strength comes back and you’re like OK. It just takes a little bit.”

Garrett did not state whether Romo would play against the Texans. Jones said he has liked what the quarterback has done in the limited work.

“He’s looked really good, and of course the real way to evaluate how he looks is out at practice and how he’s moving around,” Jones said.

Since 2013, Romo’s preseason snaps have decreased each year. He played 69 snaps in three games in 2013, 50 in two games in 2014 and 24 in two games in 2015.

“I felt great for camp. I felt great going into the game last week, same this week,” Romo said. “I feel very comfortable whether I’m done playing or whatever. It’s Coach’s call. I just know my job is to get ready to play in the game, and I feel very good about our football team and our offense going forward. I think you guys can see that we have a chance to be a good unit.”

SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 25, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)