PITTSBURGH — DK Metcalf’s regular season is over. Following an appeals hearing, the NFL upheld the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver’s two-game suspension for “initiating a physical confrontation with a fan.”
Metcalf will miss the Steelers’ Week 17 and Week 18 games. He’s eligible to return in the postseason, if the Steelers qualify.
The impact on the Steelers’ season remains to be seen. The 9-6 Steelers are, in the words of coach Mike Tomlin, “on the doorstep” of clinching the AFC North. They can do so as early as Saturday night if the Green Bay Packers beat the Baltimore Ravens. In that case, the Steelers would likely rest their starters anyway for the final two weeks of the season. Should the Ravens win, the Steelers can still wrap up the division by beating the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. If both games go against the Steelers, Metcalf would also miss a potential play-in game in Week 18 against the Ravens.
Since Metcalf is suspended without pay, he will forfeit more than $555,000 in salary from the two games that he will miss for what the NFL termed “conduct detrimental” to the league. According to multiple reports, it will also have an impact on future guarantees. The four-year, $132-million extension Metcalf signed in March was supposed to guarantee him $25 million in 2026. He also previously had $20 million in injury-protected guarantees in 2027. Both guarantees will automatically be voided due to a clause in his contract. However, unless Metcalf is released by the Steelers before the end of the deal, he can still earn the entire value of his contract.
Metcalf was suspended for an altercation that occurred during the second quarter of the Steelers’ 29-24 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The CBS broadcast captured Metcalf exchanging words with a fan wearing a blue wig who was leaning over the railing in the stands behind the Steelers’ sideline. Metcalf grabbed the fan by his collar and then appeared to either push him away or take a swing at his head.
“He did explain to me why he did what he did, and I certainly don’t condone the behavior, but I support DK,” Tomlin said during his weekly news conference Tuesday. “I really don’t have a lot to add other than what I just told you.”
The fan, Ryan Kennedy, told The Detroit Free Press on Sunday that he called Metcalf by his full name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf, and Metcalf took offense. (On Metcalf’s verified X page, his display name is DeKaylin Metcalf. Shortly after he was traded to the Steelers, he told the team’s radio play-by-play broadcaster, Rob King, that he prefers DeKaylin, but goes by DK because it’s easier to pronounce.)
“I called him that, and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt,” Kennedy told the Free Press. “I’m a little shocked.”
Later Sunday night, two former players — longtime Bengals receiver Chad Johnson and former Steelers linebacker James Harrison — said on their respective podcasts that they had spoken to Metcalf, and that Metcalf said the fan used slurs in reference to Metcalf and his mother. In a statement shared with The Athletic by Head Murphy Law, Kennedy “denies using the ‘N-word,’ the ‘C-word,’ or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur.”
Asked on Tuesday if Metcalf relayed a similar message to Tomlin, the coach declined to comment on their conversation. “I won’t discuss what he and I discussed,” Tomlin said.
Pittsburgh’s receiver options will be thin without Metcalf, especially after a hamstring injury sidelined Calvin Austin III. (Nic Antaya / Getty Images)
On Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Metcalf “had a history with the Lions fan he confronted Sunday — Metcalf reported the same fan to Seahawks security last season while playing for Seattle.” A Seahawks spokesperson confirmed to The Athletic that Metcalf reported a fan to security during a game in Detroit last year, but could not confirm it was Kennedy.
One of Kennedy’s attorneys, Shawn Head, told The Athletic via email that Metcalf “complained to security last season because he did not like what he heard from the stands. I understand that complaint was investigated, and that Mr. Kennedy was not found to have violated any Ford Field policies.”
A Detroit Lions spokesperson confirmed to The Athletic a report from Pelissero that the league will not take action against Kennedy.
Joe Keels, Metcalf’s agent, did not respond to several messages seeking comment.
Metcalf’s emotions have bubbled over on the field several times in his career, including in 2021 against the Packers and 2023 against the San Francisco 49ers, when he was ejected following altercations with opponents. However, Tomlin said Metcalf’s attitude in practice settings and during game weeks has been positive.
“He’s been great,” Tomlin said. “He cares. He works hard. He’s a heck of a guy. He’s a good teammate, and that’s why he’s easy to support.”
The wide receiver position has been one of the Steelers’ thinnest throughout this season. In addition to Metcalf’s absence, Calvin Austin III, who is listed as the WR2 on the depth chart, left Sunday’s win over the Lions with a hamstring injury. His status for Sunday’s game is unclear. Depth receiver Ben Skowronek has been playing special teams with a cast on his hand, but he hasn’t played in traditional offensive situations since the injury (although he has blocked for the tush push).
Without Metcalf (and potentially Austin), the Steelers will be counting upon mid-season additions Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Scotty Miller will also likely see an uptick in usage. Metcalf’s absence will likely thrust second-year receiver Roman Wilson back into action; he’s been a healthy scratch the last three games.
The Steelers acquired Metcalf this offseason in a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks and then signed him to a four-year, $132-million extension. He has tallied 59 receptions for 850 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also has one rushing touchdown.