Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II expressed optimism to reporters Wednesday regarding the continued recovery of linebacker Ryan Shazier.

"I expect Ryan is going to be here one way or the other and have a role on the team one way or other in 2018," Rooney said, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Shazier suffered a serious back injury in a Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. It was recently reported that he has movement in his legs but requires assistance for walking.