Exactly one year ago, Ryan Shazier was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field at Paul Brown Stadium during a Monday Night Football game against the Cinncinatti Bengals.

He’d spend the next year trying to regain movement in his lower extremities. Today, the former Pro Bowl linebacker is a step closer to pre-injury form.

Steelers LB Shazier Back At Practice 

After tackling receiver Josh Malone, Shazier went limp on the field with a spinal contusion on Dec. 5, 2017. He’d spend two days in a hospital in Cincinnati then head back to Pittsburgh to focus on his long-term recovery.  Though active with the Steelers — he was in a Heinz Field suite less than two weeks after surgery and walked across the stage at the NFL Draft — Shazier has guarded his rehab and his personal life. He’s spoken publicly only a handful of times. The linebacker is still declining interviews.

But according to Steelers linebacker coach Joey Porter, Shazier jogged on Friday for the first time since the injury. Then, in an Instagram post on Tuesday, he recounted the months since it happened.

He wrote, “Today is a day to remember. Just a year ago my life changed forever. It was a scary moment for many people. I’m not going to lie, I was one of them. Ive learned this was an amazing opportunity for the Lord to show how great He is. It’s been a crazy, long journey, but it is not over yet. The best worst part about this journey that I’m on is the unknown. Day by day it’s getting better than the the day before. Today is and was a day of joy.”

Shazier continued: “I want to thank all of the amazing people that have been a part of this process with me, starting with the one and only Michelle. And let’s talk about my ride or die boy.. my number one man..my son RJ knows how to keep a smile on my face. My parents and siblings have been there through the thick and thin. There was more than a million tears cried over this year, but now they are all of joy. Love you guys. My friends and teammates, man y’all don’t understand just the little things you’ve done that have pulled me from darkness to the light. To the Steelers-there’s no better organization. Thank you for being family to me. The UPMC trainers and staff for getting me back on my feet. Steelers and Buckeye Nation-your prayers and love honestly keep me going. And to the fans everywhere, I feel your support honestly everyday. CAA-thank you guys constantly for giving me amazing advice and being the best agency in the world. And Iast, but not least, I have to give Jerome Howard and Mike Micca an extra thank you for dealing with my foolishness, excuses, pain, and joy everyday. These two are with me working everyday and I cant say thank you enough to these guys. Love you all thank you so much. #SHALIEVE“

The 26-year old still intends to return to the NFL. After going from hospital bed to wheelchair to canes to nothing, he thinks that the Pro Football Hall of Fame is still within his reach.

He’s already overcome the seemingly impossible, jogging after being given only a 20 percent chance of walking. But to be cleared to play after a spinal injury might be medically impossible, if not reckless.

Still, Shazier takes joy in the progress he has made and continues to move towards his goals.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were missing a key defensive player on Sunday, but they still managed to win their division.

Steelers vs. Ravens Game Score

Pittsburgh (11-2) secured a thrilling 39-38 home victory over the Baltimore Ravens (7-6) to clinch the AFC North, and dedicated the big win to linebacker Ryan Shazier, who missed the game after injuring his back in the team’s Week 13 road victory in Cincinnati. The Steelers presented Shazier with the game ball in his hospital bed via FaceTime.

We love our brother, and we wanted to get this win for him, and I’m glad we did,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who left Heinz Field with Shazier’s No. 50 jersey draped over his shoulder.

Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt called the FaceTime moment “something I’ll never forget,” though several of the players said they couldn’t make out what Shazier said because of the locker room noise.

Coach Mike Tomlin did not speak much of Shazier’s situation, but said the linebacker’s presence was certainly felt in his locker room Sunday.

“We are riding with that guy,” Tomlin said. “He is strong. He is strengthening us.”

Roethlisberger said he visited Shazier on Thursday after practice, which felt “like a weight was lifted off my back.”

Dozens of players, coaches and fans supported Shazier in some way. Linebacker James Harrison stretched on the field with his shirt off, which was Shazier’s famous pregame routine.

Fifteen Steelers players also wore customized Shazier cleats. Those players were Vince Williams, Sean Davis, Stephon Tuitt, Cam Heyward, Arthur Moats, Tyson Alualu, Mike Hilton, T.J. Watt, Javon Hargrave, William Gay, Bud Dupree, Robert Golden, Roosevelt Nix, Anthony Chickillo and Antonio Brown.

Alualu posted on Instagram a photo of his cleats accompanied by a customized No. 50 Terrible Towel.

The Steelers next host New England on Sunday. Pittsburgh visits Houston and then hosts Cincinnati for its final two games of the season.

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 10: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against Michael Pierce #97 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

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)