On Monday, the Steelers officially placed Ryan Shazier on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List. By taking this step, the Steelers will ensure that Ryan Shazier will continue to collect his salary for the 2019 season. For cap purposes, he’ll count for $473K against the books. 
Shazier has remained steadfast in his insistence that he wants to return to the field one day, but it won’t be in 2019. The Steelers, meanwhile, are doing right by the linebacker, who was lauded for his leadership and on-field abilities before a devastating injury suffered in 2017.
The former first-round pick out of Ohio State tallied 68 tackles and 11 pass defenses before he was nearly paralyzed in 2017. He also earned a Pro Bowl selection despite playing in only 12 games. Prior to that, he logged 55 tackles in each of the previous two seasons.
“We will continue to support Ryan’s efforts to return to play,” Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said in a statement earlier this offseason. “Although he won’t be able to help us on the field in 2019, his leadership, insight, and emotional support have always been very valuable to us, and we look forward to his contributions in our pursuit of a championship.”
Continued classy move. Shalieve!
He is an inspiration, and I say that as someone who never looks to athletes for inspiration. And I continue to respect the way the Steelers are handling his situation.
He is class so are the steelers not like mr big chest aka yhe big pampers
A team that keeps and extends a rapist has class? I’ve heard it all
TheTruth12 with the Truth!
Suspected rapist. Never convicted. If you said scumbag, you’d be right.
Big Ben Rapistberger
Since your so polished, how do you support the patriots? Spygate, deflategate, prostitution, murderer, Brady leaving his pregnant girl…
He’s not very intelligent in case you haven’t noticed.
Guilty until proven innocent eh?
It’s truly refreshing to see an organization do the right thing. Compliments to the Steelers on this one.
By no means a Steelers fan but I have huge respect for the organization for taking this action. In this day and age where it’s constantly stated that “this is a business,” it’s nice to see an organization do the right thing. Definitely recognize that, for them, it’s not a huge financial commitment but it’s still meaningful.
Couldn’t they just continue to pay him in an advisory role or something that wouldn’t count against the cap?
Shalieve! I love how they’re helping him keep his dream of playing again alive. Rooting hard for him
You forgot to mention the most important outcome of the Steelers keeping him on PUP list. Sure he gets his approximately $500K, but, more critically, it keeps his health insurance coverage alive and active. That’s a difference maker!