The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a bad place right now, and in a lot of ways. They are dealing with injuries across the board, but now they are also dealing with players who are not available for other reasons. Those other reasons would be discipline from the NFL, and the player would be Damontae Kazee.

After Kazee was ejected from the Week 16 game vs. the Indianapolis Colts for his hit on Michael Pittman while diving to catch a pass, the league acted swiftly and harshly on further disciplinary actions. The league announced Monday afternoon Kazee was suspended for the remainder of the regular season, and potentially the playoffs if the Steelers were to right the ship and make a run to the postseason.

As everyone can imagine, Kazee appealed the suspension. After the appeal was heard, the league announced they are upholding the suspension for the remainder of the regular season, final three games, but if the Steelers make the playoffs Kazee will be eligible to return to the active roster at that time.

This per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

Steelers’ safety Damontae Kazee’s suspension for the remainder of the regular season has been upheld. Kazee is eligible to return to the active roster for the playoffs, should the club qualify.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2023

This is an unprecedented punishment for Kazee and players in the league. While many players have seen their punishments decreased through the appeal process, the NFL is making a very clear, and strong, stance against the type of hits Kazee delivered last Saturday in Indianapolis. The hit on Pittman gave the receiver a concussion, and he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. While many thought the league would decrease the suspension to allow Kazee to return at some point during the regular season, the league held firm on the topic.

So, the Steelers will be without Kazee (suspension), Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), and Keanu Neal (IR) for the game this Saturday vs. the Bengals. How the Steelers handle that will be difficult, but you can expect Elijah Riley to return to the active roster, Patrick Peterson to play more of a hybrid CB/S role, and Trenton Thompson to hopefully be healthy enough to play.

Not ideal.

What do you think of the ruling by the league? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16.