‘Missed’ by teammates, Ryan Shazier’s role with Steelers less prominent in 2020

The highest-profile unofficial assistant position coach in the NFL is no more — at least not for now.

A familiar sight in the team’s practice facility and practice fields the past two years, Ryan Shazier has not been taking part in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp this season.

A combination of coronavirus-related personnel restrictions and personal reasons have led to a less visible role within the organization for the former Pro Bowl linebacker.

“It’s really hard to not have him around,” inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky said during a video conference call Monday. “I think about him every day. I have to send a text to him. I haven’t. I go out there, and I see a picture of something or a clip of something from years past, and I’m really like, ‘Damn, I miss him.’ ”

After his playing career was halted by a serious spinal injury suffered in late 2017, Shazier spent the past two seasons around the Steelers on a seemingly daily basis. He remains on the team’s roster under the “reserve/retired” designation.

The organization paid him a player’s salary in 2018 and ’19 but needed to maneuver some league logistical and procedural hurdles to preserve roster space and allow for Shazier to perform coaching-like duties. Shazier was regularly around the team in meetings and practices.

But not this year. Last week, general manager Kevin Colbert attributed that to NFL rules during the covid-19 pandemic that limited roster size and curb the number of individuals permitted in team facilities at one time.

Coach Mike Tomlin on Monday additionally cited “transitional things in (Shazier’s) life” for his lessened role with the Steelers.

“That’s where his focus is right now,” Tomlin said.

“He has my, and our, full support in terms of that. I hope that he’s going to have some time for us in the future, but as he lays the foundation for the rest of his life, that’s where he’s focusing his energy.”

One of the greatest NFL Draft moments of all time:

Ryan Shazier walks out to announce the @steelers pick in the 2018 Draft, just months after suffering a severe spinal injury. pic.twitter.com/vqcQvR1cR0

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 23, 2020

Shazier turns 28 on Sunday and hasn’t played since undergoing spinal stabilization surgery two days after being injured while making a tackle during the Dec. 4, 2017, game at the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shazier vowed to play again, and the Steelers have publicly supported him in that quest. Shazier’s first public appearance walking came when he announced the Steelers’ first-round pick in April 2018. He has since posted videos of him working out and has been seen walking around with relative ease.

Teammates and members of the coaching staff repeatedly marveled at Shazier’s energy and eagerness in his new role.

“Ryan did a great job last year,” Olsavsky said.

“When you have a guy there that says, ‘This is what used to happen to me, and this is what I did to overcome it,’ that really helps because you know how successful Ryan is. … It’s hard to quantify the impact Ryan had last year only because it was so varied. He was so great to have around.”

Despite the apparent reduction in responsibilities this season, Colbert emphasized Shazier “will always be a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers in an official or unofficial capacity.

“But he also understands that we have to deal with current 2020 business, which first and foremost is this training camp. And he knows that even though he isn’t a part of it or in the building, he will always be a part of us.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.