The Pittsburgh Steelers had a tough outing yesterday as they faced the Indianapolis Colts, with multiple players getting injured in controversial plays. Both cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick were involved in an unfortunate collision, leading to an uncertain knee injury for Fitzpatrick. Additionally, safety Damontae Kazee's hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. resulted in his ejection from the game and Pittman suffering a concussion.

The incident involving Fitzpatrick occurred when Peterson accidentally fell on top of him, causing the safety to injure his knee. The severity of the injury is currently unknown, leaving Steelers fans concerned about Fitzpatrick's future availability. Meanwhile, Kazee's hit on Pittman elicited mixed reactions, with some arguing for his disqualification while others believed the call was too harsh.

Former Steelers defensive lineman and current NFL commentator, Chris Hoke, weighed in on the controversy, stating that although the hit looked bad in real time, a closer look at the replay revealed it to be a shoulder-to-helmet contact rather than a helmet-to-helmet hit. Hoke questioned the swift ejection of Kazee and suggested that the officials should have reviewed the play before making a final decision.

The play in question occurred in the second quarter when Kazee, who had already made five tackles in the game, collided with Pittman as the receiver attempted a diving catch. The impact caused Pittman's head to snap back in an uncomfortable manner. While it may be debated whether the contact was intentional, it is evident that Kazee did not do enough to avoid potential harm in that situation.

Disqualifications in the NFL are subject to interpretation, and the officials can eject a player if the action is deemed flagrant, as stated in the rulebook. Although the replay suggests that Kazee's hit may not have been helmet-to-helmet, the severity of the collision and the potential for serious injury likely factored into the decision to eject him.

While intentions can be difficult to determine, it is unlikely that many will defend Kazee's actions on this play. It is crucial to prioritize player safety and avoid unnecessary risks that could lead to serious harm. The Steelers will undoubtedly assess the injuries sustained by Fitzpatrick and Pittman, hoping for a swift recovery for both players.

As the team reviews the game footage, they will likely analyze the controversial plays and evaluate the decisions made by the officials. Meanwhile, fans and experts will continue to debate the circumstances surrounding the injuries and the subsequent ejection, as the debate over player safety and the enforcement of penalties in the NFL persists.