Three games were banned by Colts’ Lammons and Saints’ Kamara.Katherine Terrell Omenihu, who joined the Chiefs in the off-season, is eligible to participate in preseason games and training camp drills with the squad. He can play again in Week 7 of the regular season at Arrowhead Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Omenihu, 25, spent his four NFL seasons split between the Houston Texans and the 49ers before signing as a free agent with the Chiefs this offseason. He started for the Chiefs in the opening lineup during training camp, despite missing the previous two days of practice due to a calf injury.
In each of the previous two drafts, the Chiefs selected a defensive end in the first round: Felix Anudike-Uzomah of Kansas State this year and George Karlaftis of Purdue in 2022. Chris Jones, a standout defensive lineman for the Chiefs, is not in camp as he is awaiting a better contract.
Pittsburgh — Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the final three regular season games without pay for repeatedly breaking rules intended to protect players’ health and safety, the NFL announced on Monday. Kazee was ejected on Saturday for a hard hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Any upcoming playoff games are also suspended.
The suspension was handed down by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan for aInfraction to the rule that states it’s a foul when an opponent “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 defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him.”
Damontae Kazee of the Steelers was suspended for the remainder of the regular season and any upcoming postseason games for hitting Michael Pittman Jr. of the Colts on Saturday. Pittman was knocked out after being struck by Kazee, who was ejected. Sports by Robert Scheer of USA TODAY
Runyan claimed in a letter to Kazee that Pittman’s safety for the Steelers had a “unobstructed path” 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 in a letter. “The play’s video indicates that you struck Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. violently while he was in a helpless position, striking him in the head and neck area. You enjoyed an uninterruptedroute to your rival and the unlawful interaction could have been averted. You were eliminated from the game due to your egregious behavior.”
After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin claimed that Kazee was ejected from “New York,” and on Monday, he reiterated that Kazee isn’t “a dirty player.”
When asked about coaching tips he provides for his safeties, Tomlin replied, “Usually I talk about lowering the target.” “Both guys were going, and the target was low. It was just bad luck. He is not a dirty player, as far as I know. Some of the things that were revealed under those circumstances are not things he aspires to do.
“The National Football League is really clear, man, but sometimes it’s just professional football and how hard it is to operate. In those situations, they place the entire burden of proof on the defender. Though regrettable, we comprehend the situation.”
Kazee has already paid a total of $59,030 in fines this season after being fined five times for different instances of needless roughness.
Runyan’s letter also mentions that Kazee’s repeated offense history played a role in the suspension, which will cost him about $208,000 in pay.
“When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties,”Runyan penned.
Former quarterback Tom Brady responded to Kazee’s suspension in a comment under a SportsCenter Instagram post. Brady has been vocal about his disapproval of the NFL’s rule changes made in the name of player safety.
“Seeing athletes injured bothers nobody. However, severe blows do occur. According to him, quarterbacks shouldn’t be passing the ball in situations where doing so exposes their teammates to hits of this nature. “Quarters need to read coverages and throw the ball to the right places, coaches need to coach better, and defenders need to aim for the right hitting areas. It is just plain incorrect to constantly place the blame on the defense player. Better quarterback play is required! QBs should avoid hitting their wide receivers becauseof your poor choices!”
Former Steelers defensive back Mike Mitchell, the assistant secondary coach for the Colts, tweeted on Monday, saying, “I don’t know what to tell my safeties anymore.”
“Let them get it, I suppose. Every time I saw a catch, I would dive to make it. That would guarantee a successful pass and no contact. It’s difficult to play deep safety in the modern NFL, where most rule makers are non-players.”
Kazee has the right to challenge the suspension in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. Should he do so, the appeal would be heard by James Thrash or Derrick Brooks, the joint hearing officers appointed by the NFL and the players’ association.
Following the hit, Pittman went through the concussion protocol and left the game.
The Steelers were no longer safe. Fitzpatrick Minkahthe following play due to a knee injury, and he will not be available for Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
