Steelers safety Damontae Kazee is suspended without pay for the remainder of the season for violating health and safety rules after brutal hit on Colts' Michael Pittman Jr

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the remainder of the season by the NFL, the league announced Monday. 

Kazee was ejected during the Steelers' loss against the Indianapolis Colts for unnecessary roughness Sunday after a brutal hit on Michael Pittman Jr. 

The NFL announced that Kazee will be suspended for the remainder of the season without pay for repeated violations of rules intended to protect health and safety of players. 

Kazee will be suspended for the remaining regular season games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens, as well as any postseason fixtures should the Steelers make the playoffs. 

The Steelers sit on the bubble in the AFC a game off the Colts who occupy the final playoff spot after their win over Pittsburgh Sunday. 

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Kazee has the right to appeal the suspension, which would be heard by Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA. 

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension, writing a letter to Kazee that read: 'With 8:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules. 

'The video of the play shows that you delivered a forcible blow to the head/neck area of Colts’ receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was in a defenseless posture. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided. Your actions were flagrant, and as a result, you were disqualified from the game.'

He also noted that it wasn't Kazee's first rules violation, adding: 'When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties.'

Kazee collided heavily with Pittman Jr as the Colts star tried to make a diving catch in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Pittman's teammates immediately surrounded him and some players on both teams took knees as trainers tended to him. He walked off the field after spending a few minutes on the ground.

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