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Pittsburgh’s Ryan Shazier Improving After Scary Injury
Ryan Shazier, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, injured his back making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, spurring initial fears that he could be paralyzed after he appeared to be limited in his movements from the waist down.
The extent of the injury has yet to be announced, but based on statements by the team, paralyzation seems unlikely.
“Ryan’s injury will not require surgery at this time, and he continues to improve,” Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement. “He will stay overnight to continue evaluations with the hopes of returning to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.”
In a sport that has been grappling with the long-term brain damage that it inflicts on many of its players, Shazier’s injury was a reminder of the catastrophic damage that can happen in the short-term. The play and its aftermath were reminiscent of similar incidents that resulted in temporary or permanent paralysis, including those involving Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills in 2007, Reggie Brown of the Detroit Lions in 1997, Dennis Byrd of the Jets in 1992, Mike Utley of the Detroit Lions in 1991, Derrick Burroughs of the Bills in 1989, and Darryl Stingley of the New England Patriots in 1978.
The Steelers did not provide details of Shazier’s test results, but Colbert’s statement confirmed that Shazier was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he had a CT scan and an M.R.I.
Following the game, Coach Mike Tomlin and most of the Steelers’ players were unwilling to dig too deeply Shazier’s status, since no official prognosis had been offered.
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