Sunday’s Steelers-Lions game has given the league office a little extra work to do on Monday.
Per a league source, the NFL will turn its attention tomorrow to the contact in which receiver DK Metcalf engaged with a fan during the first half of the Week 16 game.
As the source explained it, precedent for incidents of this nature points to a fine. Once the league takes a closer look at the video and considers the relevant factors, however, a stronger punishment could be imposed on Metcalf.
Unlike the Week 1 incident between Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and a fan in Buffalo, the fan (based on the available video) did not initiate contact with Metcalf. Metcalf approached the stands and grabbed the fan’s shirt and pulled down — before punching up at the fan. It’s unclear whether Metcalf contacted the fan’s face, given the presence of the fan’s Honolulu blue wig.
The league also will presumably search for any other available video of the incident, from NFL-operated cameras to CBS cameras to any other video that may surface.
Regardless, Metcalf’s decision to interact physically with a fan during the game will be a significant topic for discussion and debate on Monday and beyond, regardless of whether he is or isn’t suspended by the NFL.
Steelers Clips
The Steelers have taken clear control of Sunday’s matchup with the Lions in the second half.
Jaylen Warren may have put the game away with his 45-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, making the score 22-10, Pittsburgh.
Warren now has 98 yards on 13 carries so far on Sunday.
That continues a run of 19 straight points for the Steelers, going back to the end of the first half.
While the Steelers took a two-point lead on a safety, Chris Boswell capped a long 17-play, 64-yard drive to give Pittsburgh a 15-10 advantage.
But the Lions did nothing on their ensuing drive, going three-and-out.
In their first two possessions of the second half, the Lions ran six plays, gained -3 yards, and even lost two points with a safety. Detroit fans vocalized their displeasure, with some resounding boos that were heard on the CBS broadcast.
The Steelers were poised to take at least a three-point lead before a turnover.
But the defense picked up the offense, to give Pittsburgh a two-point advantage.
Safety Kyle Dugger brought down quarterback Jared Goff in the end zone for a safety, putting the Steelers up 12-10 with 9:42 left in the third quarter.
Dugger came on a blitz off the left side, with Dugger disguised enough to fool Detroit’s pass protection. Goff had nowhere to go with the football and was brought down in the pocket for the sack on third-and-8.
The Lions got the ball on their 3-yard line after tight end Darnell Washington fumbled deep in Detroit territory. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had wanted to go quickly after Washington was initially ruled down by contact. But the Steelers substituted, which slowed things down, and Detroit head coach Dan Campbell wisely threw the challenge flag.
But that eventually did not prevent Pittsburgh from putting points on the board.
Kenneth Gainwell made an excellent play at the end of the second quarter, tying Pittsburgh and Detroit at 10-10 at halftime.
While Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone committed clear defensive pass interference on Gainwell, the running back was somehow still able to make a catch deep down the right side, preventing the ball from hitting the ground. Gainwell then got up untouched and went into the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown.
While the play was initially called an incomplete pass, it was quickly overturned to a touchdown.
It was Gainwell’s third touchdown reception of the year.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished the first 30 minutes 14-of-24 for 141 yards with one touchdown — his 23rd of the season.
Pittsburgh’s late score came after Detroit rookie Isaac TeSlaa made another outstanding touchdown reception. It was a difficult, 20-yard catch between two defenders for the game’s first trip to the end zone.
Quarterback Jared Goff was 15-of-20 for 162 yards with that TD. Goff has now tied Matthew Stafford’s franchise record with 21 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.
Notably, Steelers receiver DK Metcalf was shown on the CBS broadcast having an altercation with a fan where he threw a punch. Metcalf went up to the fan on the sideline and was apparently upset by something the fan said. He was not ejected, then dropped a pass over the middle that should have been routine inside two minutes. He was then flagged for offensive pass interference after shoving a defender to create space.
It would be stunning if Metcalf did not eventually face some kind of league discipline.
The Steelers will have a chance to double up, as they’ll receive the second-half kickoff.
Steelers receiver DK Metcalf could be missing a game. Or more.
During the first half of Sunday’s Pittsburgh-Detroit game, Metcalf went to the stands to interact with a fan. He possibly grabbed the fan’s Honolulu blue wig before throwing a closed fist toward his face; it looks as if Metcalf grabbed the fan’s T-shirt and pulled down.
Also, it’s hard to tell whether it was a glancing blow or Metcalf missed. (If Metcalf had connected firmly, the fan likely would not have remained standing.)
Metcalf was not ejected. The question is whether he’ll be suspended.
And the league presumably has little tolerance for contact with fans. Look for more on this to happen as soon as Monday.
The Lions will not have their starting center as they play the Steelers on Sunday.
Graham Glasgow is inactive after he was questionable with a knee injury.
Glasgow was added to the injury report on Thursday as a non-participant and did not practice on Friday either.
Kingsley Eguakun, who was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad, may start at center against Pittsburgh.
Left tackle Taylor Decker, however, is active after he was questionable with a shoulder issue.
The rest of Detroit’s inactives are safety Jalen Mills, receiver Dominic Lovett, guard Trystan Colon, guard Kayode Awosika, defensive end Tyler Lacy, and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo.
Pittsburgh’s inactives are receiver Roman Wilson, quarterback Will Howard, running back Kaleb Johnson, cornerback James Pierre, linebacker Nick Herbig, guard Isaac Seumalo, and linebacker T.J. Watt.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers last faced the Lions nearly three years ago, in his final game with the Packers. The loss at Lambeau Field kept Green Bay from making it to the playoffs.
On Sunday, Rodgers has a chance to throw a wrench into Detroit’s playoff hopes.
Rodgers takes an 18-8 all-time record against Detroit to Ford Field for Sunday’s Steelers-Lions game. His first loss happened in 2010, a late-season game he exited with a concussion.
He started 9-1 against the Lions. Which means he’s gone 9-7 since then. Ten years ago this month, an incredible Hail Mary won a Thursday night game at Detroit.
The Lions, at 8-6, are hanging on by a thread in a top heavy NFC playoff field. The Steelers can lose the next two and still win the AFC North by beating the Ravens in Week 18.
The best news for the Lions? They’re 15-0 after a loss since 2022. A win today would tie the longest regular-season record, set by the Broncos from 1984-88.
The Lions have been waiting a long time to get safety Kerby Joseph back from a knee injury, but it looks like they may have to remain patient until the 2026 season.
Joseph was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. He’ll miss at least the next four games, which means the Lions will have to both make the playoffs and win their first postseason game in order for him to have any chance of returning. The Lions are currently on the outside looking in in the NFC playoff picture.
Joseph last played in Week 6 and it looked like he was getting close to a return before head coach Dan Campbell said that the safety suffered a setback a little more than a week ago.
The Lions filled Joseph’s roster spot by activating guard Christian Mahogany from injured reserve. Mahogany started the first eight games at left guard and has been sidelined with a fibula injury.
Offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and tight end Giovanni Ricci were elevated from the practice squad in other roster moves ahead of Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
The Steelers will officially be without T.J. Watt for a second straight game.
Pittsburgh formally ruled Watt out for Sunday’s game against the Lions, as he continues to recover from a procedure to repair his lung.
Watt did not practice all week.
In 13 games this season, Watt has recorded 7.0 sacks with 10 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, and an interception.
Additionally, the Steelers have ruled out cornerback James Pierre (calf) and guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) after both players were sidelined all week.
Linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) is doubtful after he was limited in practice on Friday. Long snapper Christian Kuntz (knee) is questionable after two limited practices to finish the week.
While center Zach Frazier (triceps) was added to the injury report on Thursday as a non-participant, he is set to play after a limited session on Friday. Receiver Ben Skowronek (illness/hand), safety Jabrill Peppers (illness), offensive lineman Andrus Peat (concussion), defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (ankle), and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) are all off the injury report and are set to play.
The Lions will head into Sunday’s game against the Steelers with two of their starting offensive linemen listed as questionable.
Center Graham Glasgow and left tackle Taylor Decker both drew that designation on Friday’s injury report. Glasgow missed practice on Thursday and Friday with a knee injury while Decker missed Wednesday and Friday with a shoulder injury.
Safety Kerby Joseph (knee) and offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (knee) were ruled out for Detroit. Offensive lineman Trystan Colon (wrist) and defensive back Amik Robertson (hand) are listed as questionable.
Guard Christian Mahogany (fibula) is also listed as questionable to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game.
