With the Pittsburgh Steelers trying to stay ahead in the AFC North and the 8-6 Detroit Lions trying to make a wild-card push, their Week 16 matchup at Ford Field was bound to be heated. Only, punches being thrown at the sideline weren’t expected. The Steelers’ wide receiver DK Metcalf tangled up with a Lions fan. While the veteran avoided the reporters entirely after the 29-24 win, head coach Mike Tomlin broke his silence on the matter.

“I heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it, and I hadn’t had an opportunity to talk to DK, and so I have no comment,” the head coach said.

In his defense, the altercation only lasted a couple of seconds, and no one really noticed what went on, except for CBS Sports’ camera.

When the Steelers’ cornerback Brandon Echols was being looked at by the medical team in the late second quarter, CBS went for a commercial break. After returning, they showed Metcalf standing near the fan, who was wearing a blue and black t-shirt and holding a Steelers No. 4 yellow jersey in his hand, as confirmed by the on-field CBS sportscaster, Tracy Wolfson.

The fan apparently said something to the WR, and the latter tugged him by his blue-hair wig and gave a seemingly small punch. The incident occurred while the broadcast was on a break. However, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, handling the commentating duties for the matchup, clarified that the league will take some action on the incident.

Interestingly, the fan’s reaction to the punch was not that of anger. He looked cheerful as he held his arms in the air.

According to the broadcasters, the referees did not see the incident, so no flag was thrown. DK Metcalf kept playing without any penalty or other on-ground punishment. Yet, some believe that the head coach should have benched his top receiver after learning about the incident. The reasoning was simple for the fans: it sends a message to the team if you don’t punish your top receiver when they get physical with the fans.

However, it’s not hard to think why Tomlin didn’t make the call…

Metcalf is quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ primary, if not the only, target on the offense, and the team needs to continue winning.

Tomlin’s stance is clear. He will talk to his receiver first and then make a judgment.

Later, some local reporters tracked the fan and heard his side. Allegedly, the fan’s name is Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney, Michigan. He claimed that the receiver got angry when he shouted his full name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf. Kennedy said that even he was shocked by the incident. The Lions, though, wasted no time in keeping the situation under control as they ejected the fan from the game.

Interestingly, it resembles the season-opener incident involving the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback, Lamar Jackson, and a Buffalo Bills fan.

Then, the QB was celebrating at Highmark Stadium after he threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins late in the third quarter. But a fan in the front row tapped their helmets as Jackson pushed him a little too hard. Back then, the NFL didn’t fine the three-time league MVP but noted:

“The matter has been addressed by the club, and there is no further action from the league,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in a statement.

But such decisions are often seen on a case-by-case basis and not as a one-size-fits-all. With throwing punches already being a big deal in the league, the NFL could come up with severe punishment for the receiver.

Analysts predict a dangerous outcome for DK Metcalf

If the situation worsens, the Steelers’ superstar will be facing multiple troubles. It starts with the legal issues if the fan decides to pursue it. CBS insider Jonathan Jones claimed that the NFL could also hand a heavy punishment to DK Metcalf.

“What is very likely to take place is there will be some form of punishment for DK Metcalf that comes down on Monday. That could be a significant fine or it would be a one-game suspension (without pay). For DK Metcalf, who signed an extension, that would be upwards of $277,000 for this upcoming game for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Jones said.

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The league would like to hear DK Metcalf’s version of the incident before making any decision. As Jones said, the league will be reviewing the play. Expect more truth to come out soon!