Tag: suspension

Suspension could cost Steelers’ DK Metcalf more than $45M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension for an altercation with a fan could void $45 million in the Steelers receiver’s contract, according to multiple reports.

Metcalf, 28, signed a four-year, $132 million deal with Pittsburgh in March after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks.

The contract includes guaranteed money in 2026 ($25 million) and 2027 ($20 million) that will be “null and void” if he fails “to practice or play with the Club for any reason,” according to CBS Sports.

Metcalf is also forfeiting $555,556 in salary for missing Pittsburgh’s final two regular-season games ($277,778 per game) after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating contact with a fan at Detroit’s Ford Field on Sunday.

Metcalf appealed the suspension, but it was upheld on Tuesday by an appeals officer jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

With the Steelers (9-6) trying to hold off the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) to win the AFC North, Metcalf will miss Sunday’s contest at Cleveland and the Week 18 finale at home against Baltimore.

During the Steelers’ 29-24 win over the Lions, Metcalf walked behind Pittsburgh’s sideline toward a Lions fan leaning over the front row. Metcalf raised his right hand to grab the fan, who was wearing a blue wig, and then appeared to try to punch the man as he leaned back.

Metcalf was not penalized during the game, but multiple cameras caught the interaction and ultimately led to his suspension on Monday.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Metcalf leads the Steelers in receiving yards (850), touchdown receptions (six) and targets (99). He ranks second on the team with 59 catches.

–Field Level Media

NFL denies DK Metcalf’s appeal of two-game suspension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL ruled on Tuesday that it will not reduce Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension for initiating contact with a fan during Sunday’s game at Detroit.

The decision means Metcalf will miss the rest of the regular season as the Steelers (9-6) attempt to hold on to their one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (8-7) in the AFC North race.

During the Steelers’ 29-24 win over the Lions, Metcalf walked behind Pittsburgh’s sideline toward a Lions fan leaning over the front row. Metcalf raised his right hand to grab the fan, who was wearing a blue wig, and then appeared to try to punch the man as he leaned back.

Metcalf was not penalized during the game, but multiple cameras caught the interaction and that’s what led to the initial two-game suspension handed down Monday.

With Metcalf sidelined when the Steelers play Sunday at the Cleveland Browns and host the Ravens in the regular-season finale on Jan. 4, Pittsburgh will be without its leader in receiving yards (850), touchdown receptions (six) and targets (99). He ranks second on the team with 59 catches.

Prior to the NFL’s upholding of the suspension, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin weighed in Tuesday on Metcalf’s behavior.

“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. “And I really don’t have a lot to add other than what I just told you.”

–Field Level Media

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin supportive but doesn’t condone DK Metcalf’s actions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is supportive of D.K. Metcalf after the receiver received a two-game suspension but said he doesn’t condone his actions during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

Metcalf was punished by the league after swiping at a fan in the stands in Detroit in the second quarter of the Steelers’ 29-24 victory over the Lions. The NFL said the suspension was for “conduct detrimental to the league.”

“He did explain to me why he did what he did, and I certainly don’t condone the behavior, but I support D.K.,” Tomlin said during a press conference on Tuesday. “And I really don’t have a lot to add other than what I just told you.”

Metcalf reported this same fan to security last season when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was scheduled to have an appeals hearing on Tuesday, according to Tomlin.

“I certainly don’t want to weigh in prior to that,” said Tomlin, “and certainly I’ve heard more recently that there might be legal ramifications, and so I better be careful about what I say and how I say it. I’m sure you guys got a lot of questions. I understand that, but that’s just a posture I’m in as I sit here today with so many components of this thing yet to be resolved.”

Metcalf was spotted talking to the fan, who was sporting a blue wig and hanging over the first-row railing. The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver grabbed the man by his shirt to move him closer before throwing a right hand toward the fan’s face.

Metcalf did not appear to make much contact with the fan, who threw his hands up in a defensive posture.

Tomlin also touched on this era’s dynamic of rowdy sporting environments.

“You know, I just think volatile rhetoric is a component of our business today, unfortunately,” Tomlin said. “It just is. But not only our business — college, youth-sport parents. … I think it’s just a component of sport that’s developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate. But, really, I have nothing to say about the matter other than that.”

Metcalf, 28, has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games during his first season with the Steelers. He also has two carries for 12 yards and a score.

A second-round pick of Seattle in the 2019 NFL Draft, Metcalf has 497 catches for 7,174 yards and 54 touchdowns in 112 career games with the Seahawks and Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Seahawks LB Derick Hall suspended one game for leg stomp

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The NFL handed down a one-game suspension to Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Derick Hall on Friday over what the league called an act of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct.

In the first quarter of Seattle’s 38-37 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Hall stepped on the leg of Rams guard Kevin Dotson, who was on the ground following a pass play. Doston was carted off the field and didn’t return to the game.

Hall is allowed to appeal his suspension. Otherwise, he will have to miss the Seahawks’ Week 17 road game against the Carolina Panthers.

Hall, 24, is in his third season with the Seahawks since he was drafted in the second round in 2023. He has appeared in 13 games this season, starting three. Hall has amassed 29 tackles and one sack, one year after posting eight sacks in mostly a starting role.

–Field Level Media

Ravens OL Ben Cleveland banned 3 games for substance abuse violation

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Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland was suspended for three games without pay Monday for a violation of the NFL substances of abuse policy.

Cleveland will have to sit out the Ravens’ games at the Cincinnati Bengals, at home against the New England Patriots and at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers in Weeks 15-17. He would be eligible to return for the regular-season finale at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cleveland, 27, has appeared in 10 games this season, participating in three offensive snaps and 47 on special teams. He is a backup left guard and right guard on the Ravens’ depth chart.

The Ravens drafted Cleveland in the third round in 2021. He has appeared in 64 games, making seven starts, in five seasons.

–Field Level Media

Panthers’ Tre’von Moehrig suspended 1 game for unsportsmanlike conduct

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL suspended Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig for one game without pay following unsportsmanlike conduct that occurred Monday night in Carolina’s 20-9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

In the fourth quarter, Moehrig punched 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the groin area at the end of a play. At the conclusion of the game, Jennings retaliated by hitting Moehrig in the face.

NFL Network reported that the NFL will review the tape to determine whether Jennings should be fined but the won’t face a suspension.

“I was just responding to some childish behavior,” Jennings told reporters Monday night.

Moehrig has the right to appeal the suspension.

As it stands now, he will be eligible to return to the roster next Monday after sitting out Carolina’s game against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 30.

–Field Level Media

Commanders DL Daron Payne suspended one game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne was suspended without pay for one game Monday by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions.

Payne was flagged and ejected in the second quarter for taking a shot at Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

A league statement said that Payne violated “Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,” including “throwing a punch, or a forearm,” and Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14(d), which prohibits “striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head or neck of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s), or hand(s).”

Washington (3-7) lost its fifth consecutive game on Sunday. The 44-22 setback is the fourth loss in a row by at least 21 points.

Following Sunday’s loss, Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw said officials saw St. Brown instigate Payne by “hitting him first.”

Payne can appeal the suspension to one of the jointly appointed hearing officers compensated by the NFL and NFLPA — Jordy Nelson, Ramon Foster and Derrick Brooks. If the on-field discipline is upheld, Payne is eligible to return to the Commanders’ active roster on Monday, Nov. 17, following the Nov. 16 game in Madrid against the Miami Dolphins. That will be the start of the bye week for Washington.

Payne, 28, has 30 tackles and one sack in 10 starts this season, his eighth with Washington since being drafted 13th overall in 2018. A Pro Bowl selection in 2022, he has only missed one game in his career (Week 12 in 2019).

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs with ball after making a catch defended by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Commanders LB Frankie Luvu suspended for third hip-drop tackle violation

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL announced a one-game suspension for Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu on Monday, following his third recorded hip-drop tackle violation Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

Luvu will be forced to miss the Commanders’ next game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, pending appeal.

The tackle in question occurred midway through the first quarter in Washington’s 38-14 loss, as Luvu dragged down Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the open field as three other defenders converged.

Defined in Rule 12, Section 2, Article 18 (a)(b) of the NFL rulebook: “It is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground: (a) grabs the runner with one or both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and (b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and/or trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.”

Luvu was previously fined for hip-drop tackles in Weeks 4 and 8.

An eight-year pro, Luvu is Washington’s third-leading tackler this season with 50. He also has two sacks and a forced fumble.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) on the sidelines prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw suspended 1 game for chasing down ref

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The National Football League suspended Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw without pay for one game Monday for chasing and verbally threatening an official.

The incident occurred Sunday after a game in which the Broncos stormed back from a 19-0 fourth-quarter hole to topple the New York Giants 33-32.

“After the conclusion of the Giants-Broncos game, Greenlaw chased after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him as he tried to leave the field,” the NFL said in a release.

Greenlaw has three days to appeal the suspension. Otherwise, he will be ineligible for Denver’s Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys and become eligible again the following day.

Greenlaw, 28, made his team debut Sunday after missing the preseason and first six weeks of the regular season due to thigh injuries. He finished the game with six tackles and a quarterback hit. Greenlaw was not penalized during the game.

He signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Broncos in free agency after spending the first six seasons of his pro career with the San Francisco 49ers.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice back at practice after end of suspension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice participated in practice on Wednesday for the first time since his six-game suspension ended.

Rice was disciplined for violating the NFL’s person conduct policy, stemming from his role in a multicar crash on a Dallas freeway in 2024 that left multiple people injured.

Kansas City coach Andy Reid said that Rice will play in Sunday’s home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Reid wasn’t sure how many snaps Rice will receive.

“He’s excited to be back in and going,” Reid told reporters on Wednesday. “I think getting through practices (this week) will be good for him to get into the swing of things. He’s been working hard. He’s in good shape.”

Rice is Kansas City’s top receiver after being a standout rookie in 2023 with 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 26 catches for 262 yards and one score in four playoff games while helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.

Rice was off to a solid start with 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns last season. But he sustained a major knee injury in the fourth game and missed the rest of the season.

Off the field, Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges for his role in the crash in Dallas. He received deferred adjudication on a 30-day jail sentence, and the case will be dismissed if he complies with the terms of his probation.

Now Rice, 25, is about to step on the field in a regular season game for the first time in 12-plus months.

“He’s going to want to be out there every single play,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of Rice. “That’s the mentality that he has. It’s going to be our job, as teammates and coaches, to build him back the right way. But it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field, for sure.”

Also, offensive tackle Josh Simmons (personal reasons) and running back Brashard Smith (illness) missed practice Wednesday. Simmons, the team’s first-round pick this year, left the team prior to Sunday night’s win over the Detroit Lions for his hometown of San Diego.

–Field Level Media