Steelers' Damontae Kazee suspended rest of season for hit - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — After an ejection for a hard hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Saturday, Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the final three games of the regular season without pay for repeated violation of rules meant to protect the health and safety of players, the NFL announced Monday.

The suspension also includes any potential playoff games.

NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of the rule that states it's a foul if a player «forcibly hits the defenseless player's head or neck area with the helmet, face mask, forearm or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player's neck, and regardless of whether the defenseless player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him.»

In a letter to Kazee, Runyan said the Steelers safety had an «unobstructed path» to Pittman and that «illegal contact could have been avoided.»

«With 8:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,» Runyan wrote. «The video of the play shows that you delivered a forcible blow to the head/neck area of Colts' receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was in a defenseless posture. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided. Your actions were flagrant, and as a result, you were disqualified from the game.»

Coach Mike Tomlin said after the game the ejection came from «New York,» and Monday, Tomlin said Kazee isn't «a dirty player.»

«Usually I talk about lowering the target,» Tomlin said when asked about coaching points he gives his safeties. «The target was low and both guys were going. It was just