Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is finally looking like he’s nearing a return to the Steelers lineup, but there’s more to his absence than just the back injury that kept him out. He missed last Sunday’s win over the Falcons, and you know the defense needs all hands on deck.
The Practice Grind Is On
Head coach Mike McCarthy made it clear earlier this week, he was hoping Porter would ramp up his practice work. And guess what? The plan is in motion! Porter Jr. spent all of training camp on the physically unable to perform list, which is never a great start to a season. He was limited in practice just last week, but McCarthy’s now hinting at a full participant status for Wednesday. “Our plan is to move forward with Joey and see how much more he could do today,” McCarthy told 93.7 The Fan. That’s a huge sign that he’s getting closer, right? You want your top guys out there, pushing themselves, getting game ready.
The Contract Standoff Threatens Everything
Here’s the kicker, though. While everyone’s been focused on Porter’s back injury this summer, there’s another major issue lurking in the background: his contract. The guy was looking for an extension, and it just didn’t happen before Week 1. This isn’t just a minor detail, either. Porter has not committed to playing a snap without a new deal in place. And the Steelers? They’ve got this hard and fast policy of not negotiating during the season. It’s a classic standoff, isn’t it? You have a key player, potentially ready to go, but with a massive financial question mark hanging over his head and the team’s policy holding firm. What’s gonna give here?
So, while it’s great news to see Porter Jr. getting more work in practice, the big question remains. Will he actually suit up without that new contract? The Steelers have a policy, Porter has a demand. How long can this go on? It’s Wednesday, the practice is happening, and the clock is ticking on a situation that feels like it could explode. Fans are watching, waiting to see if a healthy Porter Jr. will actually take the field, or if this contract stalemate keeps him sidelined indefinitely, despite the progress with his injury.
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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