Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey got an early hook from Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals for his role in a scrap with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. On Monday, it was Ramsey’s counterpart who was punished.

The NFL has suspended Chase for one game after it determined he spit toward Ramsey, igniting the fourth-quarter scuffle.

Chase will miss the Bengals‘ Week 12 contest against the New England Patriots.

Chase denied Ramsey’s claim that the receiver had spit when the two met face-to-face, but video footage appeared to contradict the Bengals standout’s assertion.

“I ain’t ever opened my mouth to that guy,” Chase told reporters. “I didn’t spit on nobody.”

Ramsey was ejected after taking a swing at Chase’s helmet, earning him his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the two were flagged following the previous third-down play for offsetting infractions.

“I don’t give a (expletive) about football after that, respectfully,” Ramsey said of his allegation against Chase.

Referee Bill Vinovich said in a pool report after the game that officials did not observe Chase spitting toward Ramsey.

Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward delivered a pointed rebuke of Chase after the game.

“Two competitors, but one guy took it too far,” Heyward told reporters. “Our guy got penalized, but if you’re going to spit on a guy, you don’t belong in the game. Hopefully the NFL handles it.”

Chase’s suspension comes as the NFL continues to emphasize sportsmanship in the 2025 season.

In September, Jalen Carter was ejected from the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys after spitting toward quarterback Dak Prescott before the first play from scrimmage. Carter was docked one full game check, but the league considered his absence from the entire contest a fulfillment of a one-game suspension that didn’t necessitate an additional ban.

Chase, however, was not removed from Sunday’s matchup.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ja’Marr Chase suspended by NFL after Bengals star spat on Jalen Ramsey