Shazier a surprise visitor to Steelers practice

The Steelers got a surprise visitor to their practice Wednesday as they prepared to face the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at Heinz Field in an AFC Divisional Playoff game.

But while the team often gets visitors during its practice sessions, this one was a little more special than most.

Injured linebacker Ryan Shazier came to watch his team go through its workout, hanging out on the sideline and talking to his teammates throughout the session. He even came out at the end of practice when the team holds a quick meeting before breaking.

"We didn't know," linebacker Bud Dupree told me. "It was great. I know he feels good being out here and being on the field. It's always great when Ryan is around. He was happy, smiling."

Shazier, who suffered a serious spinal injury in the Steelers Dec. 4 win at Cincinnati, was in a wheelchair. But he seemed in good spirits.

He did not speak to reporters, but sent out this post just after arriving:

While some might see Shazier's appearance at practice as an inspirational thing for his teammates, they are quick to point out it's more about him and his recovery.

"It was dope, good to see him," inside linebacker Sean Spence, who has replaced Shazier in the lineup, told me. "It was probably even better for him to be here and be around a football atmosphere.

"I go see him all the time. It probably meant more to him than anything else to be back around the guys in a football setting. I'm happy for him. I know how it feels just being around the setting."

MATT SUNDAY GALLERY