Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier will miss a game Sunday in St. Louis because of shoulder injury.
Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier flashed his immense potential Sunday when he recorded 15 tackles, a sack, forced a fumble and recovered another in a 43-18 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. Shazier also had something happen in that game that has defined his short career.
A shoulder injury ate in the game will keep this second-year linebacker from playing Sunday against the St. Louis Rams Sunday. It’s the third injury that will force this former first-round draft choice to miss a game. He missed eight games in 2014 due to knee and ankle injuries.
“He’s a special athlete, a lot of speed, a lot of energy,” veteran inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. “He’s going to be missed, that’s for sure. But we have capable guys who will do the job until he’s healthy.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did not shed much light on Shazier’s injury this week. When he was asked about Shazier’s injury after the game Sunday, he said: “Nothing substantial.” In his Tuesday news conference Tomlin said: “On the injury front, nothing major to speak of other than the normal bumps and bruises associated with playing.”
But Shazier did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and by Friday he was seen with his shoulder wrapped in a sling.
Either Vince Williams or Sean Spence will take Shazier’s place. Spence started eight games last season and Williams three.
“These are things we practice for,” said Williams, a third-year player out of Florida State who has 14 career starts under his belt. “We went through training camp knowing we had guys who can play. Everyone knows inside linebacker is a strong position group for us, and we want to go out there this weekend and display that.”
Shazier had 22 tackles, including 16 solo, through the first two games. He has the speed to run from sideline to sideline and has the ability to rush the passer. The 49ers had no answer for him.
“He had an outstanding game,” Spence said. “It’s been great to watch him grow. I’m one of his biggest fans.
”He wants to be out there. He wants to be playing. Sometimes, injuries happen. I’ve been through it. I understand where he’s coming from. I just told him to keep his head up. He’ll be back out there before we know it.”
Timmons said the defense is in good hands with Spence and Williams filling in, but replacing Shazier’s playmaking abilities will be difficult.
“I feel like we’ll be fine,” Timmons said. “I just hope Ryan comes back fast because we need him. He’s one of our best players.”
In 2014 under former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Spence played in the base defense and Williams spelled him on passing downs. Neither knew if new defensive coordinator Keith Butler would keep the same rotation Sunday.
“We’re all interchangeable at the linebacker position,” Spence said. “We both play the buck. We both play the mack. We have a great, versatile group.”
The Steelers managed to win games when Shazier missed games last season. They were 7-4 in games he did not start, including the final four when the Steelers made their push for the playoffs and won the AFC North Division title.
“We have to continue to do what we always do,” Williams said. “We want to go out there and make splash plays and orchestrate the defense.
“The confidence is definitely there. The coaches believe in us. We believe in ourselves. This is not something we haven’t done before. We both have starting experience. I feel like we’re ready to go.”
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NOTES — Second-year defensive tackle Daniel McCullers also will miss the game against the Rams with a knee injury. … Cornerback Cortez Allen is listed as questionable with a knee injury. Ross Cockrell and Brandon Boykin took over for Allen as the third cornerback last week against the 49ers. … Receiver Markus Wheaton (chest), defensive end Cam Heyward (elbow) and cornerback William Gay (not injury related) are listed as probable.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: September 25, 2015, 5:25 p.m.
