Law enforcement officials in Detroit are continuing to examine an incident involving Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf and a fan during a December game against the Lions.
According to reporting by Christian Romo of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Police Department has submitted a request for a warrant to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. That request, filed on January 21, remains under review. Authorities have not disclosed who the potential warrant targets, and prosecutors confirmed that no charges have been filed at this time.
Details surrounding the warrant request remain vague, including whether Metcalf himself is the subject. The incident in question occurred near the front row of the stands, where Metcalf approached a fan identified as Ryan Kennedy. The two exchanged words before Metcalf reached toward Kennedy and made brief physical contact, after which Metcalf walked away.
A spokesperson for Detroit police confirmed that the matter is under investigation, though officials have not said when the inquiry officially began.
The NFL previously disciplined Metcalf for the altercation, issuing a two-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, which bars players from engaging with spectators in this manner. Metcalf appealed the punishment but was unsuccessful. He returned to action during Pittsburgh’s Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. In his first season with the Steelers after being traded from Seattle last offseason, Metcalf recorded 59 receptions, 850 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.
The situation escalated earlier this week when Kennedy filed a civil lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages. The suit names Metcalf, the Steelers, Chad Johnson, and other parties, with defamation listed as the primary claim. Johnson later stated on his podcast that Metcalf told him Kennedy had directed a racial slur at him, which allegedly triggered the confrontation. Metcalf has declined to publicly address the incident. A status hearing for the lawsuit is scheduled for May 5.
With police now reviewing the matter from a criminal standpoint, it remains uncertain whether charges will ultimately be pursued or when a decision might be announced.
The Steelers are not scheduled to begin their offseason workouts until April 6.
