Steelers LB Ryan Shazier remains in hospital after back injury

Nate Davis | USA TODAY

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier will remain hospitalized and undergo additional evaluation in the next day or two for a spine injury he suffered Monday night in Cincinnati, doctors said in a statement Tuesday.

Shazier is not expected to need surgery, according to team general manager Kevin Colbert.

"It was painful to get on that plane last night," Steelers coach Tomlin said at a news conference. "We realize and understand he's in really good hands and is getting expert medical care. He also challenged us to move on."

For those concerned just got off the phone with 50. He’s in good spirits already making progress! God has him. Keep praying keep believing in faith. Never thought I’d say this but #Shalieve lol — Mike Mitchell (@iammikemitchell) December 5, 2017

Shazier underwent a CT scan and MRI after being injured in the first quarter of the Steelers' 23-20 win. He was carted off the field and taken by ambulance to University of Cincinnati Medical Center after going limp and slumping to the turf after tackling receiver Josh Malone using the crown of his helmet.

Statement by #Steelers GM/VP Kevin Colbert on LB Ryan Shazier pic.twitter.com/WEp6wktNCu — Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 5, 2017

NFL Network reported Shazier had suffered a spinal contusion. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported he had a spinal concussion.

Trainers worked for several minutes on Shazier, the Steelers' leading tackler, who was eventually strapped to a backboard and carted off the field at Paul Brown Stadium before being taken to the hospital.

Shazier, who didn't appear to be moving his legs, covered his head with his hands as he left the field.

Tomlin acknowledged the difficulty he and his team had emotionally overcoming Shazier's loss during the game.

UPDATE: #50 Ryan Shazier has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation on his back.



He will not return to tonight’s game & there will be no further updates at this time. — Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 5, 2017

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was among those who offered encouragement to Shazier as he left the playing field.

Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict was also carted off the field later in the game after an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was also penalized for taunting Burfict on the play after standing over his body. Smith-Schuster apologized after the game.

Burfict was ruled out with a head injury, however before the cart got to the locker room, he jumped off and ran into the locker room.

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