Steelers’ DK Metcalf suspended two games after altercation with Lions fan

DK Metcalf was suspended two games without pay by the NFL due to his altercation with a fan during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions, according to CBS Sports’ top NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Metcalf reportedly plans to appeal the suspension.

Jones reports triggers for Metcalf suspension which could represent up to $40 million in canceled contractual guarantees.

Pittsburgh’s veteran wide receiver is expected to miss the Steelers’ Week 17 road game against the Cleveland Browns and their Week 18 home game against the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh (9-6) can clinch the AFC North title with a win over the Browns or a Ravens loss at Green Bay on Saturday night.

Metcalf, who signed a four-year, $132 million contract with Pittsburgh last offseason, is expected to lose $555,556 in salary over the next two weeks.

The NFL determined that Metcalf’s actions violated league policy, which states that “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 a manner that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held responsible.”

Metcalf appeared to punch a Lions fan during the first half of Pittsburgh’s eventual 29-24 victory. Metcalf would have had a history with the fan when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

Because this interaction took place off the field and was not seen by officials, it could not be penalized or result in an ejection, according to CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore.

“Because the officials didn’t see that — and (you) wouldn’t expect them to from where DK Metcalf was, it’s not something they can weigh in on from an officials standpoint. I’ve been advised, though, that that will be NFL-compliant, and they’ll address it at that time,” Steratore said.

The fan, who identified himself as Ryan Kennedy, told the Detroit Free Press that the altercation stemmed from him calling Metcalf by his full name. A source close to Metcalf, however, told NFL Media that Kennedy called Metcalf’s mother a derogatory word and also called Metcalf “something we both know you don’t call a black man.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said afterward that he had not yet addressed the situation with Metcalf, who did not speak to reporters after the game. Metcalf, who played the entire game, caught four passes for 42 yards and made a key block on Jaylen Warren’s second 45-yard touchdown run that proved to be the game-winning score.

How does this impact the Steelers?

Metcalf’s suspension won’t matter if the Packers beat the Ravens on Saturday night. If that happens, Pittsburgh’s final two games of the regular season would be meaningless from a playoff perspective.

However, if the Ravens beat the Packers, Metcalf’s absence could become a significant factor for a Steelers team that would then need to win one of its two remaining games in order to capture the North and the playoff spot 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 physicality was one of the things that pushed the Steelers to acquire him this offseason.

If the Steelers are to win one of their two remaining games, Metcalf’s absence will undoubtedly put more pressure on Pittsburgh’s other talented players. Fortunately for the Steelers, they recently received an uptick in production from their pass catchers after acquiring veteran Adam Thielen and signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad.

The Steelers also continued to receive significant contributions in the passing game from Warren and fellow forward Kenneth Gainwell. The duo combined to catch 95 passes for 710 yards and five touchdowns, including Gainwell’s incredible 45-yard touchdown run during Sunday’s victory against the Lions. Gainwell is actually the Steelers’ leading pass catcher with 62 catches in 15 games.

Pittsburgh is also coming off its best rushing performance of the season, which included 230 yards on 27 carries. Warren, who has two 45-yard touchdowns, is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and is 172 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Gainwell complemented Warren with 501 rushing yards and a team-high 4.9 yards per carry.

Metcalf’s suspension will only impact the Steelers if the Ravens win Saturday night. But even if that happens, it appears Pittsburgh has several players capable of stepping into the void.