Steelers' DK Metcalf reinstated, declines to discuss incident with Lions fan that led to suspension

Metcalf will try to help Pittsburgh win its first playoff game since 2016

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a significant player back ahead of next week's wild card playoff showdown against the Houston Texans. Receiver DK Metcalf has been reinstated following his two-game suspension stemming from his altercation with a Lions fan during Pittsburgh's Week 16 win over Detroit. 

Metcalf was back inside the Steelers' facility hours after their thrilling win over the Ravens that clinched the AFC North division title for Pittsburgh. While he said he was surprised that his suspension was upheld following his appeal, Metcalf declined to discuss what transpired between himself and the Lions fan. 

"I can't walk ya'll through nothing that happened," Metcalf said. "I can't say nothing about what happened. ... I'm excited to be back in the building, around my teammates, being at meetings, going to practice, all the things that encompass a week of preparation." 

A two-time Pro Bowler, the 6-foot-4, 229-pound Metcalf was Pittsburgh's leading receiver during his first season with the Steelers. He caught at least three passes in all but one of his 15 regular season games and had a season-high seven catches for 148 yards during the Steelers' Week 14 win over the Ravens that sparked a three-game winning streak. 

In their first game without Metcalf, the Steelers' offense scored just six points in their Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh's offense then scored just three points during the first half against the Ravens on Sunday night. 

Pittsburgh's offense finally got on track in the second half, scoring 23 points that included Aaron Rodgers' game-winning touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left. The Steelers' offense then watched as Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed his game-winning, 44-yard field goal try as time expired. 

Along with Austin, the Steelers' offense received several other big games from their skill players. Running back Jaylen Warren had 99 all-purpose yards, while fellow running back and team MVP Kenneth Gainwell caught a team-high eight passes for 64 yards. Tight end Pat Freiermuth and veteran wideouts Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling combined to catch 11 passes for 128 yards. 

Metcalf said that he has a "roller coaster" of emotions watching Sunday night's game. 

"I couldn't watch some moments because of my anxiety, but just happy my teammates got the dub," he said. 

Metcalf's return should be a huge boost for a Pittsburgh offense that will have its work cut out for it against a Texans defense that was No. 2 in the NFL in points allowed during the regular season. Houston's defense is led by its ferocious pass rush that is anchored by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., who combined to sack opposing quarterbacks 27 times during the regular season. The Texans also possess an opportunistic pass defense as four different players picked off four passes during the season. 

Pittsburgh is trying to win its first playoff game since 2016, when they recorded an 18-16 win over the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. The Steelers received six field goals that night from Chris Boswell, who along with Cameron Heyward are the only-remaining players left from Pittsburgh's most recent playoff-winning team.