Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf swung at a Lions fan's head during an in-game altercation just before halftime ofSunday's 29-24 Steelers victory in Detroit.
It's not initially clear what sparked the altercation. CBS cameras captured Metcalf clearly taking a swing at the fan and appearing to make contact.
The incident happened late in the the second quarter as the Lions' offense was on the field. Metcalf got into an exchange with a fan wearing Lions colors in the first row of the stands. Metcalf stood with his hand balled in a fist as the two appeared to exchange words. Metcalf then swung at the fan and appeared to make a glancing blow with the fan's head before walking away.
DK Metcalf appears to have an altercation with a Detroit fanpic.twitter.com/a478Zjg3tR
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS)December 21, 2025
From this angle, looks like Metcalf grabs the fan by the shirt collar and then shoves him back as he releases it.pic.twitter.com/c3o58PW1fb
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor)December 22, 2025
Per the Lions,via the Detroit Free Press, the fan was ejected from the game. The NFL, meanwhile, released a statement that it cannot intervene for an ejection of Metcalf during the game.
"There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification," the NFL statement reads, per the Free Press.
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Officials didn't appear to see the incident. Metcalf took the field with the Steelers on their next offensive possession.
Rules analyst Gene Steratore weighed in on the incident on the CBS broadcast.
"On this situation, because the officials did not see this, and you wouldn't expect them to there where DK Metcalf was, it's not something they can weigh into from an officiating standpoint," Steratore said.
"I have been notified though, that that will be delivered to compliance with the NFL, and they'll address it at that point."
NFL will review DK Metcalf's interaction for possible discipline.New York headquarters doesn't get involved in game to consider a disqualification when there's no flag on field.https://t.co/q9OYW2Jxc6
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein)December 21, 2025
Metcalf can surely expect discipline from the league. He reportedlyleft the locker room as doors opened to the media without talking.
"I heard about it, but I hadn't seen it, and I haven't had the opportunity to talk to DK, so I have no comment,"Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said postgame.