Update: Moments after Mike Tomlin’s press conference, the NFL suspended Damontae Kazee for the remainder of the 2023 season, including playoffs.
Like most NFL defenders, Damontae Kazee loves to hit. He’s proud of the way he’s done it in the past. He lowered the boom on Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman last week and was immediately disqualified.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said coaching points are to go low.
“Usually, I talk about lowering the target,” he told Steelers reporters when asked about how he addresses hitting. “The target was low and both guys were going. It was just unfortunate. I know he is not a dirty player. He doesn’t aspire to do some of the things that came to light under those circumstances.”
Pittman walked off under his own power and entered concussion protocol.
“Sometimes it’s just professional football today and how difficult it is to operate, but the National Football League is really clear, man,” Tomlin added. “They put a hundred percent of the onus on the defender in those circumstances. It’s unfortunate, but we understand it.”
It’s been debated whether Kazee had any other recourse of action. As a defender, his job is to tackle the pass-catcher. It was a crushing blow, but he did not connect with Pittman with anything other than the shoulder. It was what’s been characterized as a “bang-bang” play and in real-time, the refs made what they thought was the right decision.
Seeing it in slow motion after the fact tells a different story.
Still, Kazee is likely to be fined this week for the hit. Whether a suspension will come from it is undetermined, and Tomlin won’t speculate what the NFL will do.
“I am by no means going to speculate on that, nor does it help me, him or football itself,” Tomlin said.
Given how thin the Steelers are at safety, they’ll need to be prepared for a potential absence. Tomlin did indicate Elijah Riley could return from injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 11.
Tomlin said he won't speculate if Kazee will be suspended. "He's not a dirty player."
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) December 18, 2023
