The NFL fined Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey $17,389 for an unnecessary roughness penalty on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. during their Week 9 matchup. The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter and drew comparisons to a previous severe hit on Pittman. Ramsey maintains the play was legal and plans to continue his physical style.
In Week 9, with 4:46 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers' victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Jalen Ramsey was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness after hitting Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The NFL classified the contact as a violation of defenseless player rules under Section 2, (a), (3) of the rule book, which prohibits forcibly hitting a player's head or neck area—even if initial contact is lower—when the receiver is attempting to catch a pass and has not become a runner.
The fine of $17,389 was announced on the NFL operations page. Two plays after the penalty, Colts receiver Josh Downs scored a touchdown. This incident echoed a 2023 play where Pittsburgh's Damontae Kazee delivered a vicious hit on Pittman, resulting in a concussion for Pittman and a suspension for Kazee. Ramsey's hit produced an audible impact but was not as severe.
Ramsey, in his first season with the Steelers after transitioning to safety, addressed the penalty in a media session. "I’m just playing, man, playing the only way I know how to play. Trying to keep the game of football fierce, physical, competitive. And in those opportunities, I’ll continue to do the same thing," he said. "I did it legally, didn’t hit him in the head and neck area. I kept my head and neck out of it. So, I’ll continue to do those things and hopefully not get penalized for playing the game the right way."
Ahead of the game, coach Mike Tomlin had Ramsey deliver an impassioned team speech, which Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt praised for embodying the team's culture. "He’s hungry, man. A guy that’s done everything in the National Football League that you possibly can do, and he’s still so hungry," Watt said. "He brings just a tenacious outlook on football and how he plays the game. And that speaks volumes to the culture, getting hats to the ball, playing with swag, all the stuff Jalen does."
The Steelers had snapped a two-game skid with the win, bolstered by Ramsey's contributions at safety despite it not being his primary position.