Struggling receiver Moore is put on IR
The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver Skyy Moore on injured reserve Monday, ending what had been a disappointing second season for the 2022 second-round draft pick.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said earlier in the day that Moore had some swelling in his knee, which caused him to play limited snaps during Sunday’s 27-17 win in New England. But in the time that he was on the field, Moore once again fumbled the ball away after a catch, only to be bailed out by a defensive holding penalty that gave Kansas City the ball back.
The Chiefs, who improved to 9-5 with the win over the Patriots, were hopeful Moore could improve upon a rookie season in which he caught 22 passes for 250 yards but began to show promise late in the season and into the playoffs.
Instead, Moore caught just 21 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown while ceding playing time to other wide receivers.
The Chiefs have struggled to get consistent production from their pass-catchers all season, although rookie Rashee Rice has emerged as a potential star. Marquez ValdesScantling has had crucial dropped passes and has failed to produce a return on the $11 million he is making this season, while Kadarius Toney continues to make costly mental mistakes in games.
The latest involving Toney, whose offside penalty cost the Chiefs a go-ahead TD the prior week against Buffalo, came when his dropped pass was intercepted by the Patriots on Sunday. The same thing happened to him in Week 1 against Detroit.
Reid said that Richie James, who has been excellent as a punt returner, could see more playing time at wide receiver after playing just a couple of snaps in New England. The Chiefs also get Justyn Ross off the exempt list this week; he had been there after a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’S personal- conduct policy, and he could take Moore’s place on the 53-man roster.
“We’ll have to see on Ross just to where that goes,” Reid said. “... Richie, though, has got to play more than two snaps, so that’s my responsibility on that. I didn’t have him in on enough stuff. He’s a good football player, though.”
Steelers safety Kazee suspended rest of season
NEW YORK >> The NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee without pay for the remainder of the season for what the league described as “repeated violations” of rules designed to protect player safety.
The ruling, issued by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan, means Kazee will miss Pittsburgh’s final three regular-season games and any potential playoff games if the Steelers (7-7) advance to the postseason.
Kazee was ejected from Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to Indianapolis on Saturday after hitting diving Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in the second quarter. Pittman laid out to try and catch a pass and Kazee made contact with Pittman’s head. Pittman left the game and went into the concussion protocol.
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 a half-dozen times by the league this season.
Steelers turning to Rudolph
PITTSBURGH>> The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning to Mason Rudolph at quarterback in hopes of salvaging their season.
Tomlin said Rudolph, a sixyear veteran who hasn’t started a meaningful game since 2021, will start Saturday against Cincinnati if Kenny Pickett’s surgically repaired right ankle isn’t healthy.
Rudolph replaces Mitch Trubisky, who struggled in losses to New England and Indianapolis.