BREAKING - Steelers' Damontae Kazee Suspended For Rest Of 2023 Season/Postseason

In a shocking move, the NFL has just announced that Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Damontae Kazee, has been suspended for the rest of the regular season. The suspension also includes the postseason if the Steelers should somehow back into the playoffs. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, Kazee will appeal the decision. 

The suspension comes after Kazee was ejected Saturday for a punishing blow to Indianapolis Colts' Michael Pittman Jr. 

The decision to suspend Kazee comes from NFL Vice President of Football Operations, Jon Runyan. In a press release from the NFL, Runyan cited that Kazee has had multiple other infractions during 2023 where he violated the rules intended to protect player safety. He says because of that, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties. 

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.”

Article 9 (a)(3) further explains that a player in a defenseless posture includes “[a] player attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner…”

Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9 also states, “[a] player who initiates contact against a defenseless opponent is responsible for avoiding an illegal act. A standard of strict liability applies for any contact against an opponent, even if his body position is in motion, and irrespective of any acts by him, such as ducking his head or curling up his body in anticipation of contact.”

According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Kazee has now been fined $267,363 this year or 22% of his 2023 salary. 

After the game, Colts' Coach Shane Steichen was asked about the hit that put his star receiver in the NFL's concussion protocol. 

“It probably shouldn’t happen,” Steichen said. “He led with the crown of his helmet, and you never want to see that.”

According to the release, Kazee will make his appeal and it will be heard and decided by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.

During his press conference at noon ET on Monday, Mike Tomlin was asked about the hit and the potential of a suspension. Tomlin wouldn't comment on the possibility of a suspension, but acknowledged that Kazee wasn't a dirty plater. 

"Usually I talk about lowering the target," Tomlin said. "The target was low, and both guys were going. It was just unfortunate. He is not a dirty player. He does not aspire to do some of the things that came to light under those circumstances. Sometimes it's just professional football today and how difficult it is to operate."

The loss of Kazee comes at the absolute worst time for the Steelers. Minkah Fitzpatrick was already ruled out for Saturday's showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals. They also won't have Keanu Neal who remains on injured reserve and doesn't appear to be anywhere close to returning. It's likely that Patrick Peterson will shift to safety alongside Trenton Thompson. 

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