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NFL Announces Punishment for Steelers WR DK Metcalf

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 1, 2025 4:48 PM ET

DK Metcalf and the Pittsburgh Steelers dropped a second consecutive game in Week 8, falling to 4-3 on the 2025 NFL season after a 35-25 loss to Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers on "Sunday Night Football." Despite the loss, Metcalf still had a nice game, recording a team-high five catches for 55 yards and one touchdown, his fifth of the year.

With 10:14 remaining in the fourth quarter, Steelers running back Jaylen Warren gained five yards before being pushed out of bounds. After the play, DK Metcalf and Packers linebacker Quay Walker exchanged words, and Metcalf grabbed Walker’s facemask, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty that pushed Pittsburgh back 15 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) reacts after touchdown on Sept. 21.Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

With his unnecessary roughness on Walker, the NFL revealed on Saturday that Metcalf has been fined $12,172 for "striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing." Normally, the league fines players up to that amount for a first striking violation, which can increase to $17,968 upon a second offense in the same season.

Along with Metcalf, Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa was fined $12,172 for a similar offense after tripping Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton on a sack attempt. Overall, the NFL issued just 10 fines in Week 8 across 2,003 total plays, accounting for only 0.5% of all snaps.

The NFL fined Steelers WR DK Metcalf $12,172 for unsportsmanlike conduct — this run-in with Packers LB Quay Walker last week.

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— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 1, 2025

While this is Metcalf’s first fine of the season, it’s not the first of his career. He was fined $22,511 last year in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears for an illegal use of the helmet.

Up next for Metcalf and the Steelers, a Week 9 matchup at home against Daniel Jones and the red-hot Indianapolis Colts. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday on CBS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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