Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers’ cornerback, is listed as questionable for the upcoming game, and get this: the team is pinning it on “not-injury-related/conditioning.” That’s not what you want to hear from a player in his final year under contract. He hasn’t seen the field a single snap this season, and honestly, the whole situation is getting pretty wild.
Joey’s Absence and the Contract Mess
Seriously, think about it. “Conditioning”? This isn’t some rookie trying to get up to speed. Porter was listed with a back injury in the first two weeks, but now it’s all about his conditioning. He was limited again in Friday’s practice, meaning he still hasn’t fully participated all season. The dude himself said earlier this week he “definitely” sees himself playing at some point this season, but when exactly is “at some point”? He’s pulling in $3.924 million in 2026, which is the final year of his rookie deal, and it’s no secret he didn’t get the long-term contract he wanted. And to top it all off, the Steelers have this strict team policy: they don’t negotiate once the season starts. So, here we are, watching a guy who should be a key player sitting out, with his future and his current performance tangled up in a pretty messy financial situation. It’s a huge distraction for the team and a head-scratcher for anyone watching.
The Injury Report Piles Up
And it’s not just Porter Jr. This Steelers injury report is getting longer than my grocery list. Running back Rico Dowdle is officially ruled out with a toe issue, and offensive guard Gennings Dunker is also out because of a knee injury. That’s two more starters, or at least key rotational guys, off the field. Then you’ve got wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. dealing with a foot problem, running back Jaylen Warren battling a shoulder issue, and cornerback Jamel Dean also questionable with an ankle. All three of those guys were limited in practice again on Friday, just like Porter Jr. That’s a lot of talent hobbled or out completely. It means other players are going to have to step up big time, and the depth is going to be tested like crazy.
So, what’s next for the Steelers? With Porter Jr.’s contract situation looming and a string of other key players banged up, this team is facing some serious questions right now. We’ve got to see when Porter Jr. actually gets on the field and how the rest of these questionable guys shake out. It’s going to be a tough road ahead if they can’t get healthy and clear up these off-field distractions.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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