PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers receiver DK Metcalf returned to the locker room with his teammates for the first time since he was suspended two games for swinging at a fan in Detroit.
He said his teammates gave him another opportunity to come back and wanted to shout them out. Metcalf said he couldn’t watch the second half of the Browns game two weeks ago, the first game of his suspension, saying not being able to play was difficult for him.
As for being at his house and watching the season-deciding game against the Ravens Sunday night?
“Rollercoaster, I couldn’t watch some moments because of my anxiety getting too high, but just happy my teammates got the W,” Metcalf said. Adding as soon as the game was over he headed to the stadium to celebrate with his teammates.
Metcalf got a number of questions about the suspension during a media gathering in the Steelers locker room Monday. He said he couldn’t talk about anything that happened. He said he takes full responsibility for his actions and did admit he was surprised the NFL didn’t lessen the charge after his appeal.
He did say he was grateful to the NFL for allowing him to workout and train last week. The first-year Steeler is also thankful for his teammates.
“They were very supportive,” Metcalf said. “It’s going to take a lot to call everybody out, but a lot of people reached out to me on more than just one occasion. So it just really shows the type of people we have in this locker room and how they view me as a player and as a teammate.”
But now he’s moving forward to a Wild Card round playoff game against Houston and what he called a challenge facing one of the best defenses in the league.
“Excited as hell to be back in the building, around my teammates, being in meetings, able to go in practice,” Metcalf said. “All the things that encompass a week of preparation.”
Metcalf said he has the utmost respect for his teammates in playing to the best of their abilities. He said before the suspension, he felt like the offense was starting to find its groove. In the previous three games, Metcalf had 14 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown.
Now the Steelers get him back for a first home playoff game in 8 years.