The Pittsburgh Steelers are abruptly combating for his or her playoff lives. Having misplaced three-straight video games, the Steelers now sit at 7-7 on the season, and if the playoffs started right this moment, Pittsburgh can be on the surface wanting in. They face an important three-game stretch to shut out the season, beginning with a recreation in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
Nonetheless, they are going to now be with out security Damontae Kazee, because the defensive again has been suspended for the remainder of the season — together with any potential playoff video games — by the league.
The suspension stems from successful Kazee placed on Indianapolis Colts vast receiver Michael Pittman Jr. throughout the Steelers’ recreation this previous weekend in opposition to Indianapolis. Through the second quarter, Pittman ran a deep crossing route, working from right-to-left. Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew focused Pittman with a throw, and Kazee broke on the ball and leveled the receiver.
You may see the play right here:
Kazee was flagged for a private foul on the play, and was additionally ejected. Pittman was taken to the sideline and rapidly dominated out with a concussion.
In issuing the suspension, NFL Vice President of Soccer Operations Jon Runyan launched a prolonged assertion, noting that Kazee was being suspended for a violation of Rule 12, Part 2, Article 9(b)(1) which states that it’s a foul if a participant “forcibly hits the defenseless participant’s head or neck space with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even when the preliminary contact is decrease than the gamers neck, and no matter whether or not the defensive participant additionally makes use of his arms to deal with the defenseless participant by encircling or greedy him.”
As well as, that rule holds that “[a] participant who initiates contact in opposition to a defenseless opponent is liable for avoiding an unlawful act. A typical of strict legal responsibility applies for any contact in opposition to an opponent, even when his physique place is in movement, and no matter any acts by him, reminiscent of ducking his head or curling up his physique in anticipation of contact.” (Emphasis added).
This “strict legal responsibility” language is important, as a result of it implies that the league doesn’t want to seek out that Kazee was fault, he’s going to be held accountable just because that sort of hit occurred.
Runyan then cited his letter to Kazee, during which he wrote partly “[y]ou had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the unlawful contact might have been averted. Your actions have been flagrant, and in consequence, you have been disqualified from the sport.”
Runyan additionally cited Kazee’s “a number of prior violations of guidelines designed to guard the well being and security of gamers.” He has been fined 5 instances this season for violations, most lately a $11,806 high quality for successful on Bengals tight finish Irv Smith Jr.
Below the phrases of the Collective Bargaining Settlement, Kazee has the appropriate to attraction the suspension. Any potential attraction can be determined by both Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the 2 people collectively appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA to listen to issues associated to on-the-field self-discipline.
Replace: On Wednesday night time the NFL indicated that Thrash upheld the suspension on attraction. Nonetheless, Thrash additionally dominated that ought to the Steelers qualify for the playoffs, that he would have the ability to return for the postseason.