Among the many disappointing developments on defense for the Steelers last season were the seven games that rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier missed as a result of ankle and knee injuries.
The injuries cost the Steelers a player they expected to be a key part of their defense and cost Shazier a chance to progress as a player through game experience. He finished the season splitting time with Vince Williams and Sean Spence at inside linebacker, something that wasn’t part of the plan when they took Shazier in the first round of the 2014 draft.