PITTSBURGH — Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalfe was suspended by the NFL for two games without pay “for conduct detrimental to the NFL by initiating a physical confrontation with a fan” during Sunday's game at Ford Field.
According to the NFL, Metcalf's actions violate league policy, which states: “Players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day, and … if a player engages in unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any manner that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or creates crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”
Metcalf plans to appeal the suspension, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. If the suspension continues, Metcalf will lose $555,556 over the two games.
Ryan Kennedy Detroit Lions fan involved in altercation with Metcalf on Sunday denied using racial slurs“misogynistic or hate-based language during the incident,” according to a statement released Monday by a Michigan law firm.
“These allegations are completely false,” said a statement released by Sean Head and Sean Murphy of the law firm Head Murphy.
The statement also said Kennedy has been subject to “harassment, threats and messages advocating violence” since reports began circulating on social media that Kennedy used racial slurs toward Metcalfe and called Metcalfe's mother an inflammatory word.
Metcalf, who played for Seattle Seahawks Before he was traded to the Steelers this year, Kennedy previously told Seattle's team safety, a source confirmed to ESPN's Brady Henderson. The Seahawks played in Detroit in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The CBS broadcast showed Metcalf talking to a fan who was wearing a blue wig and hanging over the front row railing.
“He walked up because a fan in the stands was holding a Pittsburgh jersey with No. 4 on it. He walked up and the fan said something to him,” CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson said on air. “Obviously Metcalfe didn't like what he said and you saw the hit there. Not a single Steeler came up to him and mentioned anything.”
From the angle of the incident posted on InstagramMetcalfe walked up to the fan, grabbed it by the collar of his shirt to pull it closer, and then pushed it back forcefully. The fan, who raised his hands in the air after Metcalf made contact with him, appeared to be holding the yellow jersey.
Given Metcalf's suspension, the Steelers will be without a clear No. 1 receiver against Cleveland Browns And Baltimore Ravens in the final two games of the regular season, and the position group could be further depleted after Calvin Austin III left the 29–24 win over the Lions with a hamstring injury.
While we're running back Kenneth Gainwell leads the Steelers with 62 receptions, Metcalf leads the team with 850 receiving yards on 59 receptions. Austin is the next leading receiver with 28 catches for 317 yards on 48 targets. However, the Steelers received a late-season boost with the addition of a wide receiver. Adam Thielendemanded a waiver Minnesota Vikings. The team also added Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad earlier this season and promoted him to the active roster before the Week 15 win over the Dolphins.
Thielen led Steelers receivers with four catches on four targets for 49 yards against the Lions.
The Steelers also played with veterans. Scotty Miller one day Austin left the game. Miller finished with three catches on three targets for 19 yards, including a pair of third-quarter catches converting 4th-and-2 and 3rd-and-4.
The Steelers will clinch the AFC North title if they win one of their final two games. They could also clinch before facing Cleveland on Sunday if the Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.
