The NFL suspended DK Metcalf for two games without pay for an altercation with a fan during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions. Metcalf appealed his suspension, but his appeal was denied Tuesday night by an officer appointed to represent both the NFL and NFLPA.
CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reported on the catalysts for Metcalf’s suspension What could be up to $40 million in void contract guarantees?.
Pittsburgh’s veteran receiver is scheduled to miss the Steelers’ Week 17 game on the road against the Cleveland Browns and their Week 18 matchup at home with the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh (9-6) can clinch the AFC North division title with either a win over the Browns or a Ravens loss in Green Bay on Saturday night.
Metcalf, who signed a four-year, $132 million contract with Pittsburgh last offseason, is set to lose $555,556 in salary over the next two weeks.
“I certainly don’t condone this behavior, but I support DK Metcalf,” coach Mike Tomlin said of Metcalf during his weekly news conference. “He’s been great. He cares and works hard. He’s a great guy. He’s a good teammate, that’s why it’s easy to support him.”
NFL determined Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which states, “Players may not enter the stands or confront fans at any time on game day and…if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be charged.”
Metcalf He appears to throw a punch at a Lions fan During the first half of Pittsburgh’s eventual 29-24 win. Metcalfe He reportedly had a prior history With the fan when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
On Tuesday morning, another video of the confrontation surfaced which included fans sharing that having Metcalf interact with him “was the goal.”
Because this interaction occurred off the field and was not witnessed by officials, it cannot be penalized or result in an ejection, according to CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore.
“Because the officials haven’t seen this — and (you’re) not expecting them to do that from where DK Metcalf was, it’s not something they can think about from an official standpoint. I’ve been notified, though, that that will be turned over to NFL compliance, and they will address it at that point,” Steratore said.
The fan who identified himself as Ryan Kennedy, He told the Detroit Free Press The quarrel arose because he called Metcalf by his full name. However, a source close to Metcalfe said: NFL Media said That Kennedy called Metcalf’s mother a derogatory word and also called Metcalf “something we both know you don’t call a black man.”
Metcalf, who played the entire game, caught four passes for 42 yards and delivered a key block on Jaylen Warren’s 45-yard second touchdown run that proved to be the game-winning score.
How does this affect the Steelers?
Metcalf’s suspension won’t matter if the Packers defeat the Ravens on Saturday night. If that happens, it would render Pittsburgh’s final two regular-season games meaningless from a playoff standpoint.
However, if the Ravens beat the Packers, Metcalf’s absence could become a significant factor for a Steelers team that will then need to win one of its two remaining games in order to capture the North and the playoff berth that comes with it.
In addition to being the Steelers’ leading receiver (in terms of receiving yards), Metcalf is also a physical presence in the running game, as evidenced by Warren’s game-winning touchdown against the Lions. Metcalf’s athleticism was one of the things that forced the Steelers to acquire him this offseason.
If the Steelers need to win one of their remaining two games, Metcalf’s absence will undoubtedly put more pressure on Pittsburgh’s other skill players. Fortunately for the Steelers, they’ve gotten a recent uptick in production from their pass rushers after acquiring veteran Adam Thielen and signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad.
Tomlin specifically mentioned that Roman Wilson has someone he hopes will step up amid Metcalf’s absence. A 2024 third-round pick, Wilson has 12 scores and two touchdowns this season, but his role has diminished with the recent additions of Thielen and Valdes Scantling.
“I’m excited about what this opportunity could mean for him to show growth in the middle of the time he wasn’t participating.” Tomlin said From Wilson. “To show his professionalism, his preparation, and how he was sharpening his sword for battle in the team’s ranks while he was not playing.”
The Steelers also continued to receive significant contributions in the passing game from Warren and teammate Kenneth Gainwell. The duo combined to catch 95 passes for 710 yards and five touchdowns including Gainwell’s amazing 45-yard catch During Sunday’s win over the Lions. Gainwell is actually the Steelers’ leading pass catcher with 62 catches over 15 games.
Pittsburgh is also coming off its best rushing performance of the season, which included 230 yards on 27 carries. Warren, who had two 45-yard touchdown runs, is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and is 172 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Gainwell completed Warren with 501 yards on the ground and a team-high 4.9 yards per carry.
Metcalf’s suspension will only affect the Steelers if the Ravens win on Saturday night. But even if that happens, Pittsburgh appears to have several players capable of filling the void.