In a move that was entirely expected, the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed linebacker Ryan Shazier on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, the team announced today.
Earlier in the offseason, Kevin Colbert confirmed Shazier would not be able to play in 2019. Though not confirmed, Shazier appears to be aiming for a potential 2020 comeback. While he will need to be medically cleared by the team and doctors, he’s remained adamant about attempting to return to football since suffering a spinal injury in November of 2017. His rehab has been nothing short of remarkable and currently seems able to live a normal life. Earlier this month, he shared a video of him landing a three foot box jump, a testament to the effort he’s put in during his recovery.
This is the same procedure the team took with him last year. He will remain on Reserve/PUP the rest of the year. This should also reduce his 2019 salary and lower his overall cap hit. Now, he’ll make $473,000 this year. This move also opens up a roster spot for the Steelers as Shazier will no longer count against the 91-man unit with him being placed on the Reserve/PUP list.
Shazier recently tweeted out this photo, presumably of him in the war room with Mike Tomlin during the draft. He’s helped the team in the scouting department since his injury. We spotted him at the Pitt and Youngstown State Pro Days this year.
The Steelers drafted inside linebacker Devin Bush at #10 in this years draft. Bush, like Shazier, wore #10 in college.
