PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Signed this year to bring some versatility to the secondary, safety Damontae Kazee fit in really well in practices, camp and even in the preseason. After breaking his wrist in the final exhibition game, Kazee is ready for his first Steelers regular season game Sunday.
The 29-year-old signed a one-year, $1.187 million contract this season after starting 15 games with Dallas last year and says he expects to be activated from Injured Reserve before the deadline Thursday.
Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin said during training camp he was excited about the different formations and the flexibility to move players, especially Minkah Fitzpatrick, around because of Kazee’s ability to play anywhere. The plans were mostly scrapped after the injury, now he’s likely available against the Saints, the defensive coaches can get into ‘mad scientist’ mode with him back.
“His versatility, his ability to be in the post and come down and cover the slot; play in the box, be physical,” Fitzpatrick said of Kazee. “That allows myself and TE (Terrell Edmunds), two other versatile safeties, to do the same. When Edmunds and I are out there, offenses get a good beat on where we are and what we are doing. When Kazee is out there, it adds a third guy who can also move around and can be anything in the secondary. It does give them a more difficult read.”
“Anywhere somebody needs help at,” Kazee said. “If Minkah goes down, I’ll go back there. If Terrell goes down, go play his position. Anywhere, just be versatile.”
Kazee said there were some dark days recovering from the injury and the disappointment of not being out there. He said being with his young son and daughter helped him with perspective. He had to have nine screws and a plate put into his wrist, but said he’s fortunate it was a break because if it would have been ligament damage, he would have been done for the year.
He described how his wrist had popped out of socked and was then popped back in during surgery. He will only wear a sleeve on his left arm for protection, he called it an ‘Iron Man’ look.
One thing you notice immediately about Kazee beyond that he plays hard every play during games, it’s the emotion he brings to practice.
“His energy, just talking to the guys and keeping a lid on the defense,” said Steelers corner James Pierre. “He knows how to get the ball back. Try to learn from him, what he can add to the team.
He can stick his hand in the pile with us.”
In 49 career NFL starts, Kazee has 12 interceptions and 17 passes defended. He had seven picks with Atlanta in 2018 and also has seven career forced fumbles.
“As a DB crew we have to get that ball,” Kazee said. “If it’s in our hands, we have to make plays. That’s what they pay us to do. We got to make plays out there, get turnovers, give our offense another opportunity.”
Kazee believes he can pick up where he left off in the preseason as far as his role on the defense. He had five tackles in the first game against Seattle, five more against the Jags and a pair before he was hurt against the Lions.
“Just got to work together, got to be brothers,” Kazee said. “You got to do your job so others can do theirs.
Everybody’s job is important. Execute the plays and come out with a ‘W’.”
Kazee and the other guy expected back, TJ Watt, should make it a lot harder on the Saints than it’s been for other Steelers opponents.