Mike Tomlin Sends Clear Message on Jalen Ramsey After Ejection

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin does not appear to care that defensive back Jalen Ramsey was spat on by Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase. He just doesn’t want his players lost to ejections.

Video circulating online appears to show Chase spitting in Ramsey’s direction during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 34–12 victory. Ramsey was ejected for throwing a punch and later said he reacted because Chase spat on him — an accusation Chase denied in his postgame remarks. Both players were penalized on the play and Ramsey was ejected.

When asked if he needed an explanation for why Ramsey threw a punch, Tomlin said no. “I didn’t need any, it didn’t matter,” he said. “We got to be smarter. We got to stay in football games as individuals.”

NFL Will Investigate Spitting Incident

According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the NFL plans to investigate the incident. A similar situation occurred in Week 1, when video showed Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jalen Carter spitting toward Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the very early moments of the game. Carter’s ejection counted as his suspension, and he was later fined $57,222.

Because Sunday’s incident happened with 12 minutes remaining, it’s unclear whether Chase could face a suspension, a fine, or both. And same goes for Ramsey.

“With the ejection, (Ramsey) should get fined,” Jones said for CBS Sports. “But if they determine that he was not the aggressor but in fact he was reacting to being spit upon, I would anticipate that (Ramsey) would not get fined. And instead, Chase would be suspended for a game. Because they set the precedent with (Carter) in Week 1.”

Referee Did Not Spot Spitting

Head official Bill Vinovich told pool reporter Brian Batko postgame that the crew did not see Chase spit on Ramsey.

“There was a scuffle between the two,” Vinovich said. “We had been dealing with it all day and then it kind of escalated. They were both grabbing each other’s facemasks.”

The referee said a clear punch was observed and therefore a disqualification was issued.

Vinovich was asked if he saw Chase spit on Ramsey and he said, “No. Obviously, we did not. We did not see anything that rose to that level at all.”

It’s unclear what video was available to the officiating crew during the game. The field level high definition view showing Chase spitting wasn’t available online until well after the final whistle.

Steelers Sit Atop the AFC North

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers left Sunday’s game with a left wrist injury and was replaced by Mason Rudolph enroute to a victory over the Bengals. Tomlin didn’t immediately after further information on Rodgers postgame.

The Steelers move to 6-4 on the season and sit atop the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens are just a game back at 5-5 after starting the season 1-5 when Lamar Jackson was out with injury. The Bengals (3-7) and Cleveland Browns (2-8) aren’t eliminated but in really terrifying territory.

The Steelers travel to Chicago next week to face the Bears (7-3).

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