NFL issues season-long wildrawal after dangerous hit.
Kazee will have the option to appeal the suspension, which will last for the entire season.
Damontae Kazee, the Steelers’ starting safety, was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts for a hit that was deemed reckless. The NFL has now taken action against Kazee, which will have a significant impact on the rest of the Steelers’ season.
The play in question was Kazee’s hit on Colts’ star wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., who sustained a concussion and had to leave the game.
It’s by far one of the worst hits we’ve seen on a receiver all season because Pittman’s entire body is in the air on this play. And it’s a play that the NFL will punish Kazee for.
The NFL issued a press release on Monday saying that Kazee will be suspended for the first four games of the season for “multiple violations of the league’s health and safety policy”. That includes any games the Steelers could play in if they make it to the playoffs.
On social media, fans expressed their thoughts on the decision. Some said the league overreacted, while others supported the suspension.
To be fair, there was little Kazee could have done in this situation given Pittman’s path to the ball.
If nothing else, as some have pointed out on social media, this play was a result of the Colts’ quarterback, Gardner Minshew, overthrowing the ball late over the middle and leaving his receiver in an impossible situation.
Kazee, however, is a repeat offender. According to the suspension statement, this decision was made because of multiple incidents, not just the most recent one. This season alone, the NFL has fined Kazee five times for unnecessary roughness penalties.
Regardless, it will be a huge blow to the Steelers’ defense as they battle for a possible playoff berth in the NFL’s most competitive AFC.
Through 14 games this season, Kazee has played in 81 percent of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps, totaling 61 total tackles with 3 passes defensed, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions.
