<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Dick LeBeau says Ryan Shazier could play more this Sunday

          • Scott Brown, ESPN Pittsburgh Steelers reporterDec 19, 2014, 09:00 AM ET
            Close
            • Covered Steelers for six years for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
            • Author of five books, including "Heaven Sent: The Heather Miller Story," which highlights the friendship a young girl with cancer developed with several Steelers players
            Follow on X

          Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said he expects rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier to play more Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Heinz Field.

          Shazier has played primarily on special teams the last two weeks after missing the previous three games with a high-ankle sprain.

          Shazier, a first-round draft pick, has missed seven games because of knee and ankle injuries. The Steelers are making Shazier earn his spot back, and Vince Williams and Sean Spence have been playing ahead of him alongside Lawrence Timmons.

          Shazier played just four defensive snaps in the Steelers’ 27-20 win at Atlanta last Sunday. The 6-1, 234-pounder could play a bigger role this week since the tight ends are a big part of Kansas City’s passing game.

          “We’d like for him to get a few more snaps,” LeBeau said. “I think he’s about 100 percent now and that’s good to see. He’s a tremendous athlete, can really run, and we really like him.”

          A couple of notes:

          • If Todd Haley has an opinion about which one of the Steelers’ Big Three has been the team’s most valuable player, the offensive coordinator isn’t saying. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Le'Veon Bell are second in the NFL in passing yards and rushing yards, respectively. Wide receiver Antonio Brown leads the NFL in catches and receiving yards. “I am not really paying attention to any of that,” Haley said in regard to team MVP discussion. “These guys are performing at a high level though. But they need to continue to do that because we have the biggest game of the year this week. We probably have to play our best game.”

          • Cornerback William Gay has returned all three of his interceptions this season for touchdowns to thrust himself into consideration for the Pro Bowl. LeBeau, who had 62 interceptions during a Hall of Fame playing career, said, “Will has always been a really intelligent player and if he gets close to the ball he’s going to get his share of interceptions. I think we’re just seeing Will doing what Will Gay does.”

          • Roethlisberger has been voted NFL FedEx Air Player of the Week for the second week in a row. Roethlisberger won the award after throwing for 360 yards and completing just over 77 percent of his passes in the Steelers’ win over the Falcons.