Damontae

Kazee

Kazee signed a one-year deal with the Browns this offseason and appeared in only four games. The veteran safety agreed to forfeit $200k in guaranteed money in exchange for his release, and will now hope to land on a team that is at least marginally better than the one he’s leaving. Kazee hasn’t logged a tackle this season, but totaled 92 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass breakups in his previous two seasons with the Steelers. As a veteran with 111 career games under his belt, Kazee should find a new home in the coming weeks.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was the first to report the news. Kazee stays in the AFC North on what is presumably a one-year contract. The eight-year vet spent the last three seasons with the Steelers, appearing in 38 games while making 14 starts. Kazee tallied five interceptions and seven pass breakups during his time with the Steelers while playing in what was primarily a backup role, and will likely serve as added depth for the Browns this season.

Patterson was already ruled out earlier in the week, and Highsmith (groin) was likely to return from his injury in Week 7, so none of these designations is a surprise, but being without Highsmith and Kazee, who provides solid depth in the secondary, would be a concern for Pittsburgh if they were playing a healthy Raiders team.

Kazee was suspended for the final three games of the regular season for his hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman. With the suspension now complete, the Steelers were free to activate him for the playoffs.

Thrash, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, ruled that Kazee will remain out for the remainder of the regular season. He was suspended for an illegal hit on Michael Pittman in Week 15 and will miss the Steelers’ final three regular season games. However, Thrash did rule Kazee would be eligible to return for the playoffs, should the Steelers make it.

Kazee was suspended for a hit on Michael Pittman that knocked the receiver out of the game. He was penalized and ejected for the dangerous and avoidable collision. In a letter to Kazee, NFL VP of Football Operations Jon Runyan noted the safety’s history of hits that broke rules designed to protect players. Kazee will now miss the Steelers’ final three games of the year and any potential playoff games. He has three pass breakups and two interceptions this season.

Signed away from the Cowboys last spring, Kazee ended up suffering an injury before earning a three-game ban for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. In the nine games he did play, he started four of them. Going on 30, Kazee is returning as a depth piece who will need to feature on special teams.

He said the same about S Damontae Kazee. The Steelers have struggled to get pressure without Watt, who logged 22.5 sacks last season. Even if he is limited in his return, Watt will be a massive boost for Pittsburgh’s defense.

Kazee is currently on injured reserve with an arm injury, but he’s eligible to serve the suspension while on the I.R. list.

Kazee suffered the injury in the team’s preseason finale. Kazee started 15 games for the Cowboys last year and appeared in all 17 of their contests. He earned four interceptions and two passbreaks. His injury may have the Steelers in the market for a veteran safety once rosters are finalized.