Joey Porter Jr. just got listed as a full participant in practice for the Steelers, a huge step that nobody really saw coming this fast. This isn’t just a small update, either. It’s the first time all year he’s been anything more than a limited participant, and that is a massive deal for Pittsburgh heading into their Thursday night matchup.
Porter Jr. Is Cleared for Takeoff, Finally
This dude has been battling it out, recovering from a back injury that’s kept him off the field. Seriously, Porter Jr. hasn’t played a single snap in any game this season. He’s been on that injury report for conditioning, grinding to get back, and now he’s officially a full-go in practice. Imagine the boost this gives that defense. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy had his team in a walkthrough on Monday, but the word is if it had been a full practice, Porter Jr.’s status would have changed then. Now it’s official. The rookie is apparently ready to roll.
Injury Updates and What’s Next for the Steelers
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows on the injury front for Pittsburgh, though. Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols would have been limited participants if they’d held a full practice on Monday. Ramsey is dealing with a wrist issue, and Echols is in concussion protocol. McCarthy admitted it’s too early to tell if Ramsey’s even at risk of missing Thursday’s game against the Browns. Plus, running back Rico Dowdle was completely out of practice with a toe injury. So, while Porter Jr. coming back is massive, the Steelers are still patching things up in the secondary.
The big question now is whether Porter Jr. actually gets on the field Thursday night against the Browns. With him being a full participant, the hope is definitely there. You know Cleveland’s going to be looking at that injury report, wondering if they’re about to face a fully healthy Porter Jr. for the first time this year. It’s going to be a slugfest under the lights, and getting a talent like Porter Jr. back, even if it’s just for a few snaps, could be a game-changer. Keep an eye on that Thursday night game, because if Porter Jr. makes his debut, the AFC North is about to get a whole lot tougher.
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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