Acquired back in May, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, Damontae Kazee was having a tremendous training camp. This bled into the 2022 preseason before Kazee was sidelined with a wrist injury he suffered against the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium just weeks before the official regular season began.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, Damontae Kazee (#24) makes a catch during training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Kazee, 29, led the NFL in interceptions in 2018 (7) with the Atlanta Falcons before signing with the Dallas Cowboys for a season in 2021. Now in Pittsburgh, Kazee will look to contribute on both special teams, and in nickel and dime packages on defense.
Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweeted on Wednesday that the sixth-year veteran is ready to suit up again:
Steelers DB Damontae Kazee, still on IR, said he just got cleared by docs to return from preseason wrist injury. "If they activate me, they activate me. I'm just ready to play. I don't really care if I don't get in on defense. As long as I get in on special teams or something."
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) October 26, 2022
We know from the injury report last week that Kazee has three weeks to become officially activated by the team:
"Safety Damontae Kazee returned to practice on Thursday...
In his five seasons, Kazee has 241 tackles, 166 of them solo stops, and three tackles for a loss. He has 12 career interceptions, 17 passes defenses and seven forced fumbles."
Nov 17, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Former Atlanta Falcons strong safety, Damontae Kazee (#27) reacts after an interception in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
This is exciting news for the franchise as we've also learned that star edge rusher, TJ Watt, now has 21 days to be officially activated from IR as well. The reigning 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year was seen in a practice jersey and wearing gloves, cleats and a helmet in the Pittsburgh locker room on Wednesday.
Although they've been playing better, especially over the last two weeks, the defense sure could use a boost from these two talented players. Currently, they've given up the third most passing yards in the NFL (1,928), rank 18th in rushing defense (832), and only have 12 sacks on the season which is good for 23rd overall.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle and team captain, Cam Heyward (#97) lines up in front of linebacker, Devin Bush (#55) and defensive backs, Tre Norwood (#21) and Arthur Maulet (#35) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 16, 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
So what do yinz think? Will the addition of Kazee help boost this defense? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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