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The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals both lost key defenders in the first quarter of their Week 13 matchup.
But while Adam Jones’ groin injury looks significant, the injury that Ryan Shazier was a scary sight to watch unfold.
It came on Cincinnati’s first offensive possession, where Shazier was attempting to make a tackle on tight end Tyler Kroft on a reception. After the play was over, Shazier was still lying on the ground after his hit, which saw him launch his body head-first into Kroft.
Shazier quickly rolled onto his back while making no movement in his legs. He stayed on his back for several minutes while trainers examined him before being placed onto a stretcher, then was carted off the field.
After a scary scene that had him laying motionless and carried off on a stretcher, #Steelers LB Ryan Shazier is being evaluated for a back injury. He has left Paul Brown Stadium via ambulance, but his status is unavailable.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2017
At no point did Shazier show any obvious movement in his legs, which made this a very scary scene to watch. The team has since announced Shazier has a back injury and is still being evaluated.
Shazier was already battling an ankle injury that had him miss practice twice the previous week, but he practiced fully Friday and wasn’t even listed on the final injury report.
Assuming Shazier is out for the rest of the game, the Steelers are down to Vince Williams, Tyler Matakevich and former Bengal L.J. Fort at inside linebacker.