We now know why Steelers' DK Metcalf wasn't ejected for shoving a Lions fan

The cameras caught the moment, one that the on-field officials likely didn't see.

Pittsburgh Steelers star WR DK Metcalf feuded with a Detroit Lions fan during Sunday's game at Ford Field, and the interaction ended with Metcalf appearing to shove the fan with a near-punching motion.

Metcalf wasn't ejected from the game, which you can understand from the perspective of the officials at the game not having seen it.

But according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the league office can contact the officials and issue an ejection from afar.

That didn't happen here, and Graziano explained why in a new article on Monday.

"I was stunned that Metcalf wasn't ejected, because I know the league office can contact officials and order an ejection in cases when the league believes one is warranted, even if the officials don't do it themselves," Graziano wrote. "So, I reached out to the league and asked, and the explanation I got was that, because no flag was thrown, the league is not allowed to weigh in on disqualification. That seems like an unfortunate loophole, because it seems as if it should be clear that striking one of the paying customers should be the kind of thing that gets you sent home from work, no matter what your job is."

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Graziano believes that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin should've stepped in himself.

"Steelers coach Mike Tomlin absolutely could and should have sat Metcalf down for the rest of the game once he found out what happened," Graziano writes. "It's a terrible look for Tomlin to let Metcalf continue playing, and I'm very curious to hear the coach's explanation."

The football world will wait Monday to see what kind of punishment the NFL may hand down to Metcalf after the fact.

With the Steelers heading toward the playoffs, it's a really bad time for Metcalf to potentially be in trouble with the league.

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