Damontae Kazee of the Steelers is out for the remainder of the season after an illegal hit against the Colts.
Damontae Kazee, a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was suspended by the NFL for the rest of the season without pay for what the league called “repeated violations” of policies intended to ensure player safety.
According to the decision made by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan on Monday, Kazee will be ineligible for Pittsburgh’s next three regular season games as well as any playoffs games that the Steelers (7-7) might play in.
In the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to Indianapolis on Saturday, Kazee was shown the red card after striking diving Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Kazee made contact with Pittman’s head as Pittman was laying down to attempt to catch a ball. Pittman entered the concussion protocol after leaving the game.
In a letter to Kazee, Runyan writes that illicit communication “could have been avoided” with Pittman. Runyan cited Kazee’s habitual disregard for safety regulations as one of the main reasons for the suspension.
The league has penalized the seven-year veteran Kazee almost six times already this season. By missing Pittsburgh’s final three games, he will forfeit game checks worth almost $208,000.
Before the NFL confirmed Kazee’s ban on Monday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated that he would not speculatively discuss any possible punishment since it “doesn’t help me, help (Kazee), or football itself.”
Due to the suspension, Pittsburgh will face the Bengals without both of its starting safeties. Due to a knee injury, Minkah Fitzpatrick is already unavailable.