NFL commissioner Chris Palmer upheld the two-game suspension of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf on Tuesday, NFL vice president of football and international affairs Michael Signora announced.
The league suspended Metcalf on Monday for “having a physical altercation with a fan” during Sunday’s game at the Detroit Lions.
Metcalf now misses the final two games of the regular season: Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns and Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers WR will be eligible to return to the team for a potential wildcard playoff game should the Steelers advance to the postseason. Pittsburgh currently holds a two-game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North standings. The Steelers will clinch the division title with either one win or one loss from the Ravens over the next two weeks.
Under the terms of the four-year, $132 million extension Metcalf signed with the Steelers, the two-game suspension for harmful conduct would allow the Steelers, if they choose, to void not only the rest of his salary for this season but $45 million in future guarantees, $25 million fully guaranteed in 2026 and $20 million in 20,000. morning
Video showed Metcalf approaching a male fan wearing a blue wig in the front row at Ford Field, grabbing him by the shirt and then swiping him up. It was unclear if Metcalf hit the fan.
The incident occurred during the Steelers’ 29-24 victory, but since Metcalf was not flagged for the incident, which occurred off the field, he was not ejected.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday that Metcalf and the fan, identified by the Detroit Free Press as Ryan Kennedy, had a history. Per Pelissero, Metcalf reported the same fan to the Seahawks safety last season while playing for Seattle.
A source close to Metcalf told Pelissero that Kennedy on Sunday called Metcalf and Metcalf’s mother derogatory words.
Kennedy released a statement through a lawyer on Monday that “at no time before, during or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind.” Kennedy told the Free Press on Sunday that Metcalf was upset about using his full name.
“He explained to me why he did what he did,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday before news of the appeal. “I certainly did not accept the behavior, but I support DK.
Metcalf finished the game with four receptions for 42 yards and has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in his first year with the Steelers.