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Steelers' Mike Tomlin supportive but doesn't condone DK Metcalf's actions

Tue Dec 23 6:12pm ET
Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is supportive of D.K. Metcalf after the receiver received a two-game suspension but said he doesn't condone his actions during Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

Metcalf was punished by the league after swiping at a fan in the stands in Detroit in the second quarter of the Steelers' 29-24 victory over the Lions. The NFL said the suspension was for "conduct detrimental to the league."

"He did explain to me why he did what he did, and I certainly don't condone the behavior, but I support D.K.," Tomlin said during a press conference on Tuesday. "And I really don't have a lot to add other than what I just told you."

Metcalf reported this same fan to security last season when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was scheduled to have an appeals hearing on Tuesday, according to Tomlin.

"I certainly don't want to weigh in prior to that," said Tomlin, "and certainly I've heard more recently that there might be legal ramifications, and so I better be careful about what I say and how I say it. I'm sure you guys got a lot of questions. I understand that, but that's just a posture I'm in as I sit here today with so many components of this thing yet to be resolved."

Metcalf was spotted talking to the fan, who was sporting a blue wig and hanging over the first-row railing. The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver grabbed the man by his shirt to move him closer before throwing a right hand toward the fan's face.

Metcalf did not appear to make much contact with the fan, who threw his hands up in a defensive posture.

Tomlin also touched on this era's dynamic of rowdy sporting environments.

"You know, I just think volatile rhetoric is a component of our business today, unfortunately," Tomlin said. "It just is. But not only our business -- college, youth-sport parents. ... I think it's just a component of sport that's developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it's unfortunate. But, really, I have nothing to say about the matter other than that."

Metcalf, 28, has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games during his first season with the Steelers. He also has two carries for 12 yards and a score.

A second-round pick of Seattle in the 2019 NFL Draft, Metcalf has 497 catches for 7,174 yards and 54 touchdowns in 112 career games with the Seahawks and Steelers.

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Rome Odunze Dec 23 3:50pm CT
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Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) was missing from his team's practice on Tuesday, per Michal Dwojak of Bears Insider. Odunze has been sidelined for three weeks as he battles a stress fracture in his foot. While Chicago will not release an official injury report until Wednesday, Odunze could be tracking towards a fourth straight missed game in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. Across 12 games in 2025, the 23-year-old has recorded 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns on 90 targets. Chicago was also without rookie wideout Luther Burden III (ankle) in Week 16, leaving the team thin at wide receiver. If Odunze remains sidelined in Week 17, veteran wideout DJ Moore profiles as the team's clear number one pass-catcher, and wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahdae Walker could both see increased playing time.

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Luther Burden III Dec 23 3:50pm CT
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Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (ankle) was not spotted at practice on Tuesday, per Michal Dwojak of Bears Insider. Burden III was inactive for Chicago's Week 16 win over the Green Bay Packers due to an ankle injury, and may be in danger of missing his team's Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers as well. Across 13 games this season, Burden III has hauled in 36 catches for 479 yards and a touchdown on 47 targets. He appeared to be emerging before getting hurt, as he had earned 19 targets across a three-game stretch from Week 13 through Week 15. If Burden III remains sidelined against San Francisco, wideouts Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahdae Walker will likely soak up additional playing time alongside veteran wide receiver D.J. Moore. Chicago is also dealing with an injury to wideout Rome Odunze (foot), so the team's depth at the position is being tested.

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Woody Marks Dec 23 3:40pm CT
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (ankle) was spotted on the practice field on Tuesday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Marks missed his team's Week 16 win against the Las Vegas Raiders due to an ankle injury that forced him to exit early in Week 15. It appears Marks could be trending towards making his return in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Across 14 games this season, the 24-year-old has recorded 788 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 188 touches. Marks had emerged as the feature back in Houston before getting hurt, recording at least 16 touches in every game from Week 10 through Week 14. If he were to remain sidelined, the Texans would likely turn to the combination of Jawhar Jordan and Nick Chubb for backfield snaps in Week 17.

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Max Brosmer Dec 23 3:30pm CT
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Roman Wilson Dec 23 3:20pm CT
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Darnell Mooney Dec 23 3:10pm CT
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Quinshon Judkins Dec 23 3:10pm CT
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George Kittle Dec 23 2:00pm CT
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Drake London Dec 23 2:00pm CT
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Tyquan Thornton Dec 23 2:00pm CT
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Demarcus Robinson Dec 23 1:50pm CT
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Jauan Jennings Dec 23 1:30pm CT
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J.J. McCarthy Dec 23 1:30pm CT
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Rome Odunze Dec 23 1:20pm CT
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