Damontae Kazee LOSES his appeal to get his suspension overheard after brutal hit on Michael Pittman Jr… but Steelers star can return for playoffs

Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has been unable to get his suspension overturned, but he will be available for the playoffs if Pittsburgh makes it.

Kazee was suspended this week for the remainder of the season after violating NFL health and safety rules.

He was immediately ejected after unleashing a brutal hit on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

Kazee will be suspended for the remaining regular season games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers are on the bubble in the AFC – a matchup of the Colts who hold the final playoff spot after their win over Pittsburgh Sunday.

Kazee collided heavily with Pittman Jr. when the Colts star attempted a diving catch in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Pittman's teammates immediately surrounded him and some players from both teams took a knee as trainers tended to him. He left the field after lying on the ground for a few minutes.

The Colts announced later in the quarter that Pittman had a concussion and would not return.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Kazee that illegal contact with Pittman “could have been avoided.”

Runyan pointed to Kazee's repeated violations of safety rules as one of the driving forces behind the suspension.

Kazee, a seven-year veteran, has been fined nearly six times by the league this season.

He will forfeit approximately $208,000 in game checks by missing Pittsburgh's final three games.

The suspension means Pittsburgh will be without both of its starting safeties against the Bengals. Minkah Fitzpatrick is already out with a knee injury.