DK Metcalf punches fan: Jeff Saturday predicts NFL will change Steelers WR suspension

Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf received a two-game suspension on Monday from the NFL for taking a swing at a fan in Detroit on Sunday. However, with him set to appeal, ESPN’s Jeff Saturday does think it could be taken down to just one.

Saturday made that point about Metcalf’s punishment during ‘Get Up’ on Tuesday morning. He, while not knowing what the league will decide to do, does see the two-game suspension, which would sideline him for the remainder of the regular season, being brought to a one-game suspension for him from the NFL.

“Now, I think that the suspension will probably get reduced to one. I would think so. And, if it does, at least they get him back for the last week they play against the Ravens,” said Saturday. “But, who knows, man? The league might stick to it, and you finish the season without your one-receiver.”

Near halftime of Steelers vs. Lions in Week 16, Metcalf walked over to a fan, who he reportedly has a history with, who was leaned over the rail, with words shared between them before he was swung at. He was not ejected as he was on the sideline at the time, and he did not comment on the matter postgame after the 29-24 road win for Pittsburgh against Detroit.

However, on Monday, the NFL suspended Metcalf for two games for his actions. That now could not only be costly to him financially, but it could cost his team with Pittsburgh (9-6) trying to hang on to a playoff spot, with two divisional games left in the AFC North with one in Cleveland and one in the finale against Baltimore. They, assuming the suspension isn’t changed after the appeal, would then be going into those last two games without who is by far their leading receiver. Metcalf has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in his debut season with the Steelers.

“It’s going to be a problem. I mean, you can’t minimize what he does for this offense, even if he’s not making catches, right. Like, the fear that he puts in defenses, of stretching it, what he can do after the catch – all of those things,” said Saturday. “They went and got him for a reason…and, when he’s out of the lineup, it does change it.”

The NFL could elect to, based on circumstances that they see fit, take it down to one game for Metcalf. We’ll have to wait and see, though, with the decision possibly having a massive impact on the end of this regular season for Pittsburgh.