The Pittsburgh Steelers had high rookie-year expectations for their 2014 Round 1 draft pick, linebacker Ryan Shazier. And at first, those expectations were being met. His strong summer at training camp and in the preseason was rewarded with Shazier being given a starting spot at inside linebacker alongside Lawrence Timmons.
He held that spot down for three starts before suffering a sprained MCL that held him off the field until Week 8. Then, in Week 9, he suffered an ankle sprain that sidelined him until Week 13. By then, his starting days were done; Shazier instead worked in a three-man timeshare with Vince Williams and Sean Spence.