After a head-down hit Monday night, Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier fell limp to the ground.

I usually say use of a spine board to carry a player off the field is precautionary, but there is real worry here.

It was a hit in which the force translated down the neck to the thoracic spine and lower back. The mid-back even hyperextended from the impaction force.

Shazier grabbed his mid-back after the play. He immediately began shaking and opening and closing his hands as if to check for function and healing.


The good news is he could move his hands and arms. However, that does not rule out spinal issue or a spinal cord issue lower down. Another good sign is is no cervical collar was used. Hopefully, the apparent loss of feeling and function is temporary.

My concern is with how Shazier went limp, including (temporarily) his arm. It is extremely worrisome how his legs, especially the left leg, flopped as he turned over. He did not sit up to help extricate his left arm from from being trapped behind his back.

He was placed on a spine board and transported to a local hospital.

The worry is for thoracolumbar compression or burst fracture, which could affect his spinal cord/nerves.


This is not meant to be alarmist. I really hope I am wrong. But unlike similar previous scares with other players this season, Shazier appears to have suffered a serious trauma.