The NFL has imposed a suspension on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Damontae Kazee for the rest of the season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without starting safety Damontae Kazee for the remainder of the season due to a hard hit on Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman. The hit, which resulted in Kazee’s ejection from the last game, has led to a suspension by the NFL without pay, as reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan stated that the suspension is a consequence of Kazee’s “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.”
Kazee has faced fines five times this season, all related to unnecessary roughness penalties, totaling $59,030. The hit on Pittman occurred in the second quarter of the Steelers’ recent loss to the Colts, with officials determining that Kazee’s contact targeted the head/neck area of the defenseless receiver, who left the game and did not return.
The Steelers now face challenges in the safety position, as Minkah Fitzpatrick is already expected to miss upcoming games with a knee injury. Keanu Neal is on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue, and backup Trenton Thompson is questionable for Week 16 with a stinger, though he underwent evaluations from the Steelers medical staff following the Colts game.
