The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost one of their starters for the rest of the season and postseason following a decision announced by the NFL on Monday. The 7-7 Steelers are already dealing with a shorthanded roster due to injuries.
A Pittsburgh Steelers safety has been suspended
According to a statement by the NFL, Steelers’ safety Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the rest of the season due to a hit on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Saturday. Here’s a video of the play posted on X by Rate the Refs App.
Pitman was able to get up under his own power. Kazee has been ejected from the game for this hit. #PITvsIND pic.twitter.com/ZbaxFhz9ZQ
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 16, 2023
Pittman was ruled out of the game with a concert following the hit by Kazee.
Per the NFL statement:
“Damontae Kazee of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the regular season and any potential postseason games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during this Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.”
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9 (b)(1) which states that it is a foul if a player “forcibly hits the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him.”
The report states that Runyan considered that Kazee has had multiple previous violations of rules regarding players’ health and safety when rendering the suspension.
Kazee will have a chance to appeal the suspension.
The Steelers have multiple roster issues at safety with Kazee’s suspension. Minkah Fitzpatrick has been ruled out for Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a knee injury he suffered against the Colts. Trenton Thompson had to leave the Colts game with a stinger injury.
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