Kenneth Gainwell

The NFL’s precedent when it comes to player interaction with fans has been to impose a fine. Sunday’s behavior by Steelers receiver DK Metcalf was largely unprecedented.

And so the league has suspended Metcalf for two games without pay. Per the NFL, the punishment is for “conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.”

Related players: Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin III, Ben Skowronek, Scott Miller, Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

From the league’s press release: “Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which specifies that ‘players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and . . . if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.” If the suspension is upheld, Metcalf will miss the Week 17 game at Cleveland and the regular-season finale against the Ravens. From a fantasy standpoint, without Metcalf, the Steelers would seem more likely to involve their TEs to take those targets, and perhaps especially Gainwell from the running back spot.