Steelers Linebacker Faces Major NFL Penalty After Week 13 Josh Allen Incident
The NFL spotlight is shining on Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen following a contentious play involving Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. This incident occurred during a critical game in Week 13, where Allen’s unique style of running drew significant attention from defenders.
As Allen scrambled during a second-and-three situation, he executed a late slide. Queen, aiming to make the tackle, committed to the hit and delivered a hard shot. Although the contact appeared rough, it surprisingly did not result in a penalty during the game.
Penalties and Potential Fines for Patrick Queen
Under NFL regulations, a first-time late-hit offense could incur a fine up to $11,593. If this is Queen’s second infraction of the season, that amount could escalate to $17,389. Many analysts felt the Steelers were fortunate not to be assessed a 15-yard penalty at the time of the incident.
Post-Incident Developments
Immediately following the play, Queen suffered a hip injury while attempting to execute a routine run stop. Despite his efforts to shake it off, he ultimately required medical attention. After spending a moment on the field, he managed to walk off under his own power and was escorted to the medical tent.
Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten later confirmed Queen was questionable to return. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when he was declared out for the remainder of the game due to the hip injury.
The Impact on the Steelers Defense
- Queen had completed a solid performance prior to his exit, recording six tackles.
- He also tallied a hit on Allen along with a fumble recovery.
- With Queen sidelined, Malik Harrison took over his linebacker responsibilities.
For a team already facing injuries, losing their defensive captain mid-game is a critical setback. The Steelers will need to assess the severity of Queen’s injury as they prepare for upcoming matchups. The hope remains that he will recover swiftly to contribute to the team’s defensive strategies effectively.
