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Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: Ryan Shazier 'spiritually in a great place' | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: Ryan Shazier 'spiritually in a great place'

Chris Harlan
Chris Harlan
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Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin celebrates after defeating the Bengals Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Steelers linebacker Vince Williams kneels on the field, as teammates watch Ryan Shazier get medical attention after being injured during the first quarter against the Bengals Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Ryan Shazier is "in really good spirits" but offered no update on the status of the linebacker's injured back.

Tomlin started his weekly news conference by offering thank yous to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center staff, where Shazier was hospitalized, as well as to Cincinnati's paramedics and police department. Shazier's back was injured during a tackle of Bengals receiver Josh Malone during the first quarter of what ultimately was a 23-20 Steelers victory.

"I really have no update in terms of his medical status other than what was released earlier," Tomlin said. "I would imagine at the appropriate time, those that are responsible for his care will give you a reasonable assessment of where he is. I would imagine that could occur as soon as later on today.

"But from my perspective, obviously it was a tough evening," Tomlin added. "Ryan's a trooper. I had an opportunity to spend some time with him and he's in really good spirits. A tough guy. He's got great support from family and loved ones there. It was painful to get on that plane last night but that's life. We realize and understand that he's in really good hands and is getting expert medical care. And he also challenged us to move on with what it is that we need to move on with. He's with us as well."

Tomlin described the conversations he had late Monday night with Shazier as "strangely normal."

"Ryan is a legitimate leader, he's asking about the guys," Tomlin said. "We talked about how the game unfolded and some of those things. Normal conversations. Not only is he a mentally tough guy, but he's a guy who's spiritually in a great place."

Tomlin said physician Dr. David Okonkwo, a UPMC neurosurgeon, had traveled to Cincinnati with the Steelers and remained there with Shazier.

Shazier was taken off the field via a backboard and cart about 4 minutes into the game after he'd been attended by medical personnel for seven minutes while lying on his back on the Paul Brown Stadium turf.

Shazier violently fell back after making what had the appearance of an innocuous tackle leading with his helmet into the lower back area of Malone. Shazier rolled himself over while lying on the turf and gestured with the fingers on his right hand before putting both hands up to his head. Shazier's lower body, however, remained limp.

As a motorized cart took Shazier off the field, Shazier lifted his hands to his head to cover his face. Soon thereafter he was loaded into an ambulance.

Other items Tomlin discussed during his news conference:

Chris Adamski contributed. Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.