Ryan Shazier released from UPMC, shown standing with Roethlisberger

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PITTSBURGH — Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is being released from the Rehabilitation Institute at UPMC Mercy and is headed to an outpatient rehab center.

Before leaving the hospital, he stood up and posed for a picture with Ben Roethlisberger. He also posted another photo of himself standing with some of the employees at UPMC.

In the Instagram post, he thanked everyone for their support.

Shazier suffered a spinal injury in December while making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals.

He underwent spinal stabilization surgery several days later at UPMC.

In an interview with Channel 11's Lisa Sylvester, Shazier's dad Vernon said his son has feeling in his legs. Vernon Shazier believes Ryan will play football again.

The 25-year-old says he is "working harder than ever" to get back.

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