The NFL has suspended Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee for the remainder of the 2023 season after his vicious hit on a defenseless Michael Pittman Jr. in Week 15. He was ejected after the hit in the loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and it appears that play will be his last of the season. His suspension also applies to any potential playoff games should the Steelers qualify. Miles Killebrew could be elevated to the starting strong safety role in his absence.
The Athletic's Mark Kaboly viewed Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee as the starting safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick a month ago. However, he's now wondering if Kazee will be a platoon player with Keanu Neal based on scheme and opponent. The Steelers got a look at Neal in various positions this spring, and he looked good everywhere. At worst, Kazee will be in a situational rotation in Pittsburgh's secondary in 2023. The 30-year-old missed the first eight games of last season while on Injured Reserve with an arm issue and finished with 20 tackles (11 solo) and two interceptions in nine games (four starts). Kazee has made 53 career starts (78 total games) in his six years in the NFL with three different teams.
Free-agent safety Damontae Kazee signed an undisclosed one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers over the weekend, according to a source. The five-year veteran has 12 career interceptions and will provide veteran depth behind starters Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds in Pittsburgh's secondary. The 28-year-old spent last year in Dallas, where he recorded 52 tackles (35 solo), two interceptions, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 17 games (15 starts). Originally a fifth-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 out of San Diego State, Kazee has a total of 251 tackles (172 solo), three tackles for loss, 17 passes defensed and seven forced fumbles in 69 career games over five NFL seasons.
Dallas Cowboys starting safety Damontae Kazee was arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to the police. Kazee was booked on a Class B misdemeanor and was released after posting $2,500 bond. The 28-year-old has started all six games this year and has 17 tackles (13 solo), an interception and a forced fumble for Dallas' improved defense. The Cowboys are on their bye in Week 7, but Kazee could be facing a suspension from the league and may not be available in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Dallas Cowboys signed free-agent safety Damontae Kazee to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to his agency. The former Atlanta Falcons starter will reunite with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who was Kazee's head coach in Atlanta. Kazee was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 2017 and thrived as a free safety under Quinn. He had seven interceptions in his second NFL season in 2018 and added three more in 2019. The 27-year-old joins Keanu Neal as the second defensive back from Quinn's Falcons secondary to join the Cowboys this offseason. Neal is expected to start the year at linebacker, which could allow Kazee to slot in as the team's starting free safety, which was occupied by Xavier Woods last year. However, Kazee only played in four games in 2020 after suffering a torn Achilles in October.
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent starting safety Damontae Kazee (Achilles) is not expected to re-sign with the team this offseason, according to a source. The three-year starter tore his Achilles during the 2020 season, but he recently received clearance from Dr. Robert Anderson and will be cleared by training camp. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2017 played in just four games last season before going down with his season-ending injury. In those four games, he had 20 tackles and one forced fumble. His best season came in 2018, when he had 82 combined tackles, a career-high seven interceptions, 10 passes defensed and one forced fumble in 16 games (15 starts). Kazee should receive interest on the open market as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks in his recovery from a torn Achilles.
Falcons Defense Loses Damontae Kazee For Rest Of Season
Atlanta Falcons starting free safety Damontae Kazee (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles in the Monday night loss to the Packers and will miss the rest of the season, according to a source. Kazee was replaced by Sharrod Neasman in the secondary. Atlanta entered the game already down two safeties in Keanu Neal (hamstring) and Ricardo Allen (elbow). Rookie Jaylinn Hawkins started next to Kazee, and Hawkins also left the game with a concussion and was replaced with Jamal Carter. Starting cornerback A.J. Terrell remains on the COVID-19 list, so the Falcons secondary is seriously thin. At least until the team gets both Neal and Allen back, the Falcons secondary will be an exploitable matchup for opposing quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends. Carolina gets Atlanta in Week 5.
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