Ryan Shazier puts in long days scouting, coaching Steelers during rehab

Ryan Shazier has remained in Pittsburgh during his rehabilitation from a spinal injury that will prevent him from playing this season, but the Steelers are putting him to work.

Shazier has been eager to stay around the team and has offered his help in a variety of roles. Tuesday during his first news conference since his injury in December, Shazier detailed his daily "work day" routine at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in recent months. Having an interest in scouting, his days were longest in the weeks leading up to the draft.

Ryan Shazier doing some scouting for the Steelers. Shazier is the official timer at the 20 for the 40 here at Pitt's Pro day. pic.twitter.com/cFvOYFdFY5

— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) March 21, 2018

"I would probably get in around 7 a.m., come in and watch films with the scouts," Shazier said, "and then after that probably do about half with the scouts and half with the coaching staff, when they are breaking down the film for the old season and figuring out what we're going to do for the new season.

"And then… work out for about two hours, and right now we're practicing so I will watch practice. But before (organized team activities) when we were not practicing, I would go to the training facility and I would be there from about 2-4 (o'clock), and after that I would go home and then rest for about an hour."

Shazier's daily routine wasn't done yet, though.

"Then my trainer he comes over and helps me also do some extra stuff that I might do at home before the season. But I feel like that actually helps me build my body back up also. So in the end I will try to go to bed at 10 o'clock – but you know, Fortnite (a video game) will keep up longer."

Colbert reiterated that while Ryan Shazier won't play in 2018, he's still an integral part of the #Steelers and continues to be around the team on a daily basis (helping with coaching/scouting and rehab).

— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) February 28, 2018

In short, if anyone thought Shazier offering to contribute – or the Steelers being open to putting him to work – was lip service…

"I was here in the offseason: Ryan was really scouting," defensive captain Cameron Heyward said. "He was breaking down tape just like a regular scout was. He's good.

"Ryan, he wants to stay involved," Heyward said moments later, "and if the organization lets you stay involved, taking advantage of that, that shows what type of guys he is."

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.