5 days ago
2
Receiver DK Metcalf returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday after serving a two-game suspension for a confrontation with a fan in Detroit during a Week 16 matchup with the Lions.
As could be expected, reporters covering the team were eager to ask Metcalf about the incident which led to his two-game penalty and voided a guarantee on $45 million in future earnings. However, the seven-year NFL veteran said nothing about the altercation nor its consequences.
Advertisement
"I can't say nothing about what happened," Metcalf responded to the third question regarding the confrontation.
In all, Metcalf was asked about the fan incident six times. His lawyers surely approved his refusal to answer. Yet he did acknowledge that he was surprised that his appeal of the suspension was unsuccessful.
Finally, Metcalf was asked how he felt about returning to the team and said he was excited to be back at the Steelers' headquarters and with his teammates. Metcalf's colleagues also missed him and attempted to include him in the on-field and locker room celebrations of winning the AFC North through FaceTime. The receiver had texted his fellow players earlier in the day.
Advertisement
“We were playing so we could get DK back and we did,” Calvin Austin told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein. “He’s our leader. He’s our energy. He’s the guy.”
The Steelers split the two games Metcalf missed, winning Sunday's regular-season finale over the Baltimore Ravens, 26-24, to win the AFC North and claim the conference's final playoff berth. However, Pittsburgh's passing attack certainly missed the big-play threat that Metcalf provides.
In Week 17 versus the Cleveland Browns, tight end Pat Freiermuth led the offense with 3 receptions for 63 yards. Against the Ravens, Calvin Austin led the team's wideouts with 55 yards on 3 catches. Metcalf averaged nearly 4 receptions in his 15 games for Pittsburgh. But more importantly, he averaged 57 yards per game and 14.4 yards per catch. As a result, quarterback Aaron Rodgers averaged 231 passing yards in the Steelers' final two games without his top receiver.
Advertisement
“My teammates gave me another opportunity to come back,” Metcalf said, via the Associated Press. "So just big shout out to them."
Metcalf has played in four career postseason games (all with the Seattle Seahawks), totaling 26 receptions for 451 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per catch.
The No. 4-seeded Steelers host the No. 5 Houston Texans for a wild-card playoff matchup on Monday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
English (US) ·