Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier was hospitalized overnight in Cincinnati but "continues to improve" after a scary first-quarter back injury Monday night against the Bengals, team GM Kevin Colbert announced early Tuesday morning.
Shazier underwent a CT scan and MRI exam at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to evaluate the injury, Colbert said in a statement tweeted by the team at 1:23 a.m. ET.
“Ryan’s injury will not require surgery at this time, and he continues to improve,” Colbert said. “He will stay overnight to continue evaluations with the hopes of returning to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. We will provide further updates at the appropriate time.”
Statement by #Steelers GM/VP Kevin Colbert on LB Ryan Shazier pic.twitter.com/WEp6wktNCu
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 5, 2017
Shazier was placed on a backboard and carted off the field at Paul Brown Stadium early in the first quarter of Monday's game.
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The Steelers' leading tackler lowered his head to stop Bengals receiver Josh Malone less than four minutes into the game. Shazier, in his fourth year from Ohio State, had his hands over his head when carted off the field. Steelers linebacker Vince Williams was in tears kneeling next to Shazier as trainers tended to him.
Shazier was moving his arms and hands, but there was concern because of minimal movement in his legs.
The Bengals had the ball for the first time when Shazier was injured and capitalized on a Ben Roethlisberger interception with a 35-yard Randy Bullock field goal with 10:48 remaining in the first quarter.
After a brief evaluation in the locker room, Shazier was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after Pittsburgh's 23-20 comeback said only that Shazier, 25, was "receiving the necessary medical attention."
NFL Media reported Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert took a police escort to the hospital. The team was told Shazier has a spinal contusion with some swelling involved. They won't know more until the swelling goes down, but it is encouraging news for Shazier. Former Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox had a similar injury in 2002 and missed just one game.