DK Metcalf's suspension upheld by NFL, leaving the Steelers without their No. 1 wide receiver

Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Dec 23, 2025

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — DK Metcalf’s appeal of his two-game suspension has been upheld, and he will not be eligible to play in the final two regular-season games against the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens.

Metcalf had a hearing on Tuesday, one day after the NFL suspended him for an altercation with a fan during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. An NFL appeals officer ruled against Metcalf, who told former NFL players James Harrison and Chad Johnson that Ryan Kennedy, the fan involved in the incident, called Metcalf a racial slur and called his mother a name.

The Steelers enter Week 17 of the NFL season with two chances to win their first AFC North division title since 2020. They can celebrate Saturday night if the Green Bay Packers beat the Ravens. If the Ravens beat the Packers, the Steelers would have to beat the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon to clinch the division.

If the Ravens win and the Steelers lose, it would set up a winner-take-all game between the Steelers and Ravens on Jan. 4 at Acrisure Stadium.

Metcalf cannot enter the team’s facility during his suspension. He is eligible to return to the team on Jan. 5 if the Steelers make the playoffs.

Replacing Metcalf will be a tall task for the Steelers. He leads the team in receiving yards (850), touchdown catches (six) and first downs (37). In addition to playing the Browns without Metcalf, the Steelers also could be without receiver Calvin Austin III. He injured his hamstring in the victory over the Lions.

Second-year receiver Roman Wilson, who has been a healthy scratch the past three games, is expected to return to the lineup against the Browns.

“I’m excited about what this opportunity might mean for him, to display growth in the midst of the time he hadn’t been participating, to show his professionalism and his readiness and how he’s been sharpening his sword for battle,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “That’s always the lens in which I see it.

“You can waste a lot of time pining for those you don’t have. As a leader, it’s my job to prepare those that I do have and position them to live out their dreams and be positive contributors to a winning effort.”

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