Steelers place LB Ryan Shazier on IR, ending 2018 season

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, left, is pushed along the field as some players from the University of Pittsburgh they take part in the NCAA football team' s annual pro-day, Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Pittsburgh, where eligible players perform tests and drills for scouts from professional teams. (Keith Srakocic/AP)

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed linebacker Ryan Shazier on injured reserve for the 2018 season to give him more time to recover from spinal stabilization surgery.

The team made the move on Wednesday, which will open up a roster spot for the AFC North champions as they begin organized team activities later this month.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert ruled Shazier out for 2018 earlier this year. Shazier, injured in a game at Cincinnati last December, walked publicly for the first time in nearly five months when he strode onto the stage to announce Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in last week’s NFL draft.

The 25-year-old Shazier has remained active in the organization during his rehabilitation.

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