PITTSBURGH -- Ryan Shazier is out of the hospital, at least for a few hours.
The injured Steelers linebacker pumped up the Heinz Field crowd when he was shown on the JumboTron in a stadium suite, waving a Terrible Towel.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told CBS Sports that it was Shazier's decision to attend Pittsburgh's 27-24 loss to the Patriots on Sunday, and this is part of his rehabilitation process.
Shazier had no interaction with players before the game, according to CBS.
Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward said after the game that the team received an early emotional jolt when cameras cut to their injured teammate in attendance at the stadium.
"I had gotten whispers that he might be here," Heyward said. "When you see a guy like on the JumboTron, a lot of emotions went through. Just kept thinking dang, I wish he was out here. I know he wanted to be out here playing. A lot of guys did. But we didn't get that W for him. He knew we played hard. We'll talk more about it later."
Steelers teammate Artie Burns agreed wholeheartedly.
"That meant a lot to us, for him to get out of his bed and come down to watch us play, to be here with us," Burns said. "He didn't make it about himself, he made it about the team. He knew he had to be here for this moment and support us. I appreciate him for that."
Shazier has remained at a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center after undergoing spinal stabilization surgery last week. UPMC announced on Thursday that Shazier is rehabilitating.
"We would have loved to win this one for him," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "To see him here was really cool."
Shazier, one of the Steelers' best playmakers, was carted off the field in Week 13 after running his helmet into Bengals wide receiver Josh Malone on a tackling attempt. The Steelers have used Shazier as an emotional touchstone the past two weeks, visiting him in the hospital and getting encouragement from the fourth-year linebacker.
The team FaceTimed with Shazier from the locker room after clinching the AFC North title in a Week 14 win over the Ravens. Coach Mike Tomlin gave him the game ball, and players took him a division champion T-Shirt and hat.
Ryan Shazier celebrated with his Steelers teammates via FaceTime after Sunday night's win against the Ravens. (via mrs.shazier50/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/a6YFV6Z8gv
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 11, 2017
Details about Shazier's recovery have been scarce, other than that he is improving gradually and, as his father, Vernon Shazier, told ESPN, "we're remaining hopeful and taking life one day at a time."