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James Thrash, appointed to hear the appeal by
the NFL and the NFL Players Association, ruled that Kazee would
have to miss the last three regular-season games for his hit on
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on
Saturday.
While the NFL's initial punishment would have banned Kazee from
the rest of the regular season and any possible Pittsburgh
playoff games, Thrash decided that Kazee could return to action
if the Steelers make the postseason.
The league's sanction took into account both the nature of the
hit and the fact that Kazee is a repeat offender, having been
fined for illegal hits this season ahead of the latest incident.
Kazee's hit on Saturday gave Pittman a concussion.
In announcing the initial suspension, NFL vice president of
football operations Jon Runyan wrote to Kazee, "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.
The video of the play shows that you delivered a forcible blow
to the head/neck area of Colts' receiver Michael Pittman Jr.,
who was in a defenseless posture. You had an unobstructed path
to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been
avoided. Your actions were flagrant, and as a result, you were
disqualified from the game."
Kazee, 30, also served a three-game suspension in September 2022
for a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
Kazee has 16 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two fumble
recoveries in 92 career games (62 starts) with the Atlanta
Falcons (2017-20), Dallas Cowboys (2021) and Steelers. This
season, he produced two interceptions and two fumble recoveries
through 14 games (nine starts).
--Field Level Media
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