After linebacker Ryan Shazier spent the last four weeks as a spectator on game day, you couldn't blame him for feeling excited about being a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

"It felt good back out there getting some reps," said Shazier. "I am a little rusty. I felt good back out there. I did everything. I had a full practice. It felt really good to be out there."

Shazier has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, and while he did practice some last week, Coach Mike Tomlin made the decision to hold him back another week. This week Tomlin that Shazier should be "well enough" to play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It was coach's decision," said Shazier. "He didn't feel like I was ready. Coach Tomlin made the best decision. I know that he is going to do what is best for the team so I am down for whatever he says."

Shazier is looking forward to getting back on the field for practice today to see how he does in consecutive practices.

"I am going to go out there, see how it feels, and get ready for practice," said Shazier. "It's felt good."

If he does play this week it's likely he will do so wearing a neck roll for protection, something that linebackers used to wear.

"They want me to put it on," said Shazier. "They feel like it will help. I am going to wear it, whatever I have to do to be able to be out there on the field.

"I was telling a few of the guys I look like (Bill) Goldberg from The Longest Yard or like some of the older linebackers. If I have to wear it, I'm going to wear it."