Update On Steelers' Ryan Shazier

The Steelers released an update on Ryan Shazier on Thursday. Shazier left the game last Monday night against the Bengals with a lower back injury that was later identified as a spinal contusion.

Here's the latest...

Statement from UPMC Neurosurgeons & #Steelers Team Physicians on Ryan Shazier pic.twitter.com/nE7xgsx7Tx

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 7, 2017

Just got off phone w neurologist Dr Anthony Alessi, who consults w NFLPA, asked him what he makes of Shazier's spinal stabilization surgery. "It's not good...We're not going to see him this season. He may not play football again."

— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) December 7, 2017

Alessi says surgery is needed when the "bones around his spinal cord are dislocated. This is a more severe injury (than a contusion.)"

"This is a much more severe situation on our hands than we thought."

— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) December 7, 2017