PITTSBURGH — The NFL has reduced the suspension for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Damontae Kazee, allowing him to return to the team once they postseason begins – if they make it, NFL Senior Vice President of Football and International Communications Michael Signora announced.
Kazee was initially suspended for the remainder of the season and the postseason for multiple unnecessary roughness penalities and fines he collected throughout the season.
The last straw came when the Steelers defensive back was ejected from Week 15 for hitting Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., resulting in a concussion for Pittman.
The Steelers are currently on the outside looking in on the AFC playoff picture, sitting as the 10th seed in the conference.
They’ll face the Cincinnati Bengals, who sit 6th this week before traveling to Seattle in Week 17 and then Baltimore in Week 18.
Pittsburgh could climb their way back into a wildcard spot, but will likely need to win their final three games to do so.
Currently, the Steelers are without their two starting safeties as Kazee waits to return and Minkah Fitzpatrick is dealing with a knee injury.
Cornerback Patrick Peterson and practice squad member Eric Rowe are expected to start in their place.
The NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee without pay for the remainder of the season for what the league described as “repeated violations” of rules designed to protect player safety.
The ruling, issued by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan on Monday, means Kazee will miss Pittsburgh’s final three regular-season games and any potential playoff games if the Steelers (7-7) advance to the postseason.
