Ryan Shazier thanks supporters as doctors monitor spine injury

• Steelers linebacker was hurt during Monday’s win over Bengals

• Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin says it has been a tough time for team

Ryan Shazier has thanked those who sent him messages of support after he suffered a spinal injury during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker was hurt while making a tackle and was treated on the field for several minutes receiving treatment from medical staff. He did not appear to have any movement in the lower half of his body as he was strapped to a board and carted off the field. Shazier was still at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Tuesday night as doctors continue to monitor him and carry out tests.

“He will continue to be monitored and treated by the neurosurgery experts at UC Medical Center until he has been cleared to return to Pittsburgh,” said a statement from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “It is expected that Ryan will undergo additional tests and evaluation over the next 24 to 48 hours, and he will then return to Pittsburgh to receive further evaluation and care at UPMC.”

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Shazier has regained “some movement in his lower extremities” although the extent of his injury is still unclear as doctors evaluate the 25-year-old further.

On Tuesday night Shazier tweeted his thanks to supporters. “Thank you for the prayers. Your support is uplifting to me and my family,” he wrote on Twitter.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said it has been a difficult time for the team. “It was a tough evening. Ryan is a trooper,” Tomlin said on Tuesday. “[I] had an opportunity to spend some time with him; he is in really good spirits, tough guy. He has great support from family and loved ones there. It was painful to get on that plane last night. That’s life. We realize and understand he is in really good hands and getting expert medical care. He also challenged us to move on with what it is we need to move on, and he is with us as well.”

Shazier’s injury came during a brutal game between the Bengals and Steelers, whose rivalry goes back years. Monday night’s game was particularly ugly – in addition to Shazier’s injury, two players were given one-game suspensions for illegal hits.