DK Metcalf was not at the Acrisure Stadium on January 4 when the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24, clinching a playoff berth they had so desperately wanted and the AFC North title. However, their star receiver could not attend the celebrations because of a two-game suspension as a result of his sideline altercation with a Lions fan in Week 16.

According to Steelers reporter Brendan Howe, Metcalf “got dressed, hopped in the car and tried to go celebrate with his team after last night’s win over the Ravens.

“He got stuck in traffic, and Steelers staffer Darrel Young told him everybody was gone by the time he’d get to the stadium.”

It could have likely been post-game traffic. But here’s what happened: The player had begun preparing to leave for the stadium when he saw wide receiver Calvin Austin III hauling in the late go-ahead touchdown with 55 seconds remaining in the game. Though Tyler Loop was positioned for a game-winning 44-yard field goal, he missed it. The next moment, the scoreboard read: Steelers win at 26-24. 

In a way, the win against the Ravens bailed out Metcalf. Had Loop successfully made the kick, the Steelers’ season would have ended with two losses, and some amount of blame would have been placed on the wide receiver. So, even though Metcalf couldn’t be there for the celebrations, he was happy that his teammates won, which allowed him to return this season. 

“My teammates gave me another opportunity to come back, so big shoutout to them,” said the wide receiver on Monday. 

The media also pressed the two-time Pro Bowler to share the specifics of the sideline incident of Week 16, but he wisely declined. He was asked for his comments on the incident at least six times, but the player responded with “no comments” to five of those requests. If anything, he took responsibility for his actions.

Metcalf was suspended for two games without pay by the league “for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan” during a game in Detroit. The player had thrown a punch at a Lions fan and later accused the fan of using racial slurs. However, the fan denied it.

The wide receiver was reinstated after his two-game suspension. He has been Pittsburgh’s leading receiver in his first season with the team: he recorded 59 receptions for 850 yards, along with six receiving touchdowns. He has been their most productive weapon.

The team is excited about DK Metcalf’s return

When Metcalf spoke on Monday about how he felt about his return after suspension, he said he was excited to be back at the Steelers’ headquarters and around his teammates. His teammates also missed him. Take Calvin Austin III as an example.

“We were playing so we could get DK back, and we did,” Austin III told reporters. “He’s our leader. He’s our energy. He’s the guy.”

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In the two games that Metcalf missed, Pittsburgh went 1-1. But it was visible that their passing attack missed the big-play threat that Metcalf’s presence provided. In his absence, tight end Pat Freiermuth led the offense with three receptions for 63 yards against the Cleveland Browns.

Against the Ravens, Calvin Austin III led the team’s wideouts with 55 yards on three catches. It was clear that quarterback Aaron Rodgers played both these games without his top receiver. But as the team shifts its attention towards the wild card round against the Houston Texans on Monday, Metcalf could prove to be their strongest weapon yet again.

“Awesome to have DK back,” head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday. “But we’re not going to exhale and think that DK automatically, with his presence, is going to be a difference or the difference. Football is the ultimate team game. It’s going to require great effort from all parties involved, but certainly excited about doing it with him.”

Of course, Metcalf can make a lot of difference with the ball in his hands, but we have already seen how several teams have tried to Metcalf out of the game, or at least minimize him. For instance, the Los Angeles Chargers did quite a bit of two-man coverage and used one of the two safeties to double Metcalf on almost every play. Even the Seattle Seahawks tried to limit him. So, the Texans may play with a similar strategy.