Tuesday, the Steelers placed linebacker Ryan 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 organization moving forward in his professional career," Kevin Colbert said in a statement.
This move follows similar decisions from the organization before the 2018 and 2019 seasons, when Shazier was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) lists following a spinal injury in the team's Dec. 4, 2017, win over the Bengals.
With the team's latest decision, they will retain Shazier's rights, allowing him to stick with the team in some capacity, as Colbert mentioned. In previous seasons, Shazier was seen around the team, at games and at practices, helping coach and influence the locker room with his mind and his presence.
"Honestly, his presence is already something, you know?” Devin Bush was telling me of Shazier in October of 2019. “Just him being here, him being able to lay eyes on me, that’s helped me a lot.”
Devin Bush getting coached up between sets by Keith Butler and Ryan Shazier: #dkps #steelers pic.twitter.com/6HuFQ1kM0V
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) June 5, 2019
Now-former Steeler Tyler Matakevich offered a similar take:
“He just … he cares,” Matakevich was telling me. “He just wants us to win. He just wants us to do well. So any extra knowledge that he knows or anything he picks up, he’s willing to tell you and try to help you out so you’re prepared when you go out there.”
This move does not officially rule out a return to football for Shazier, who has repeatedly expressed his desire and his will to play again. He can un-retire and return, but for now, this move allows him to remain a part of the team while recovering, as he has in years past.
The Steelers drafted Shazier in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, 15th overall. He started 41 games in four seasons with the team, racking up 299 tackles (202 solo), seven forced fumbles, seven sacks and seven interceptions, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2016 and 2017.