Ryan Shazier was one of the best linebackers in the NFL. So in 2017, he suffered a career-altering injury and has not played since. He has still been under contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Steelers placed Shazier on the reserve/retired list on Tuesday. So, will Shazier ever play football game again?

Ryan Shazier was a stud right out of Ohio State

In higher for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Ryan Shazier was 1 of the best linebackers in the country. Every bit a freshman in 2011, Shazier had 58 total tackles, but so he dominated as a sophomore. In 2012, Shazier had 115 tackles and five sacks. So equally a junior in 2013, Shazier led the entire Big Ten in tackles with 144 to go with seven sacks. He ultimately earned get-go-team AP All-American honors in 2013.

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Shazier with the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He then had an instant impact on Pittsburgh'southward defense. He simply played in nine games in 2022 and racked up 36 tackles. Yet, in 2022 he had 87 tackles in 12 games. He so earned his showtime Pro Basin pick in 2022 with 87 tackles and three interceptions in xiii games for the Steelers. In 2017, he earned his 2d Pro Bowl selection every bit he had 89 tackles and iii interceptions in 12 games.

The atrocious injury that changed his career

During a Monday Dark Football game on Dec. 4, 2017, Shazier suffered a life-changing injury. Shazier hitting Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Josh Malone in the back with his helmet, co-ordinate to Yahoo Sports. He and then laid motionless and was taken to the hospital. Shazier suffered a spinal injury and had surgery iii days later to stabilize the spine.

Shazier has not played since that game. He has, however, made huge strides since that injury. He initially lost the feeling in his legs. Now, he is walking without a cane. He has also stayed around the team working as a scout. Shazier has also mentored teammates like 2022 first-round pick Devin Bush, according to Yahoo.

Since the injury, Shazier has seemed motivated to play again, co-ordinate to the New York Post, but volition he?

Steelers place Shazier on reserve/retired list

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier looks on.
Linebacker Ryan Shazier of the Pittsburgh Steelers on the field prior to a game. | 2022 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

At the cease of 2018, Shazier'south contract with the Steelers was set to expire. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh placed him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list for 2022 and tolled his contract into 2019, according to Sports Illustrated. This allowed him to stay on NFL health insurance, accrue years on his pension, and brand a minimum salary in 2019.

However, on Tuesday the Steelers announced that they placed Shazier on the reserve/retired list.

"Ryan's placement on the Reserve/Retired List serves as a matter of protocol to ensure his continued inclusion within our arrangement moving frontwards in his professional person career," said Steelers General Manager/Vice President Kevin Colbert in a statement.

Kevin Colbert

Teams use the reserve/retired list to retain a player's rights. The player on the listing does not count against the bacon cap or the player cap, though, according to WPXI. Then, essentially, this ways the Steelers could potentially pay him in some other role within their organization. He only now volition not count against their salary cap since he is non an agile histrion.

Correct now, Shazier is considered a retired player. That does not mean he volition never play again, though. This move by the Steelers is pretty much just to not have his salary on their salary cap. Notwithstanding, if he can render at some point, the Steelers would have the first opportunity to sign him to a contract. So, it is still up in the air if Shazier will e'er play football again. He is considered to be retired, but he can all the same somewhen play again if he fully recovers from his awful injury.