Joey Porter Jr. “definitely” sees himself hitting the field at some point this season, but when that actually happens, even he isn’t sure. This much-needed update comes as the fourth-year pro has sat out Pittsburgh’s first two games, all while his contract negotiations have been stuck in neutral.
Porter Jr.’s Status: From the Sideline to “Smooth” Practice
It’s been a rough start for Porter Jr., who missed the Steelers’ opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Mike McCarthy straight up said it was *his* call to keep Porter out. Then, last weekend, Porter watched the team lose to the Patriots from the sideline, this time because of back pain. He’s been clear: he hasn’t allowed a touchdown as a primary defender since 2023, so his absence is a huge deal. Despite the uncertainty, he did say Thursday that he did “everything today” in practice and it “went smooth.” Still, he’s got two more days of practice before Sunday’s showdown, and when asked about his conditioning for the Cincinnati game, he just shrugged, saying, “I don’t know.” You know he wants back in, especially with the Bengals coming to town.
The Stalled Contract and What It Means
All this injury drama is happening with a massive contract cloud hanging over his head. Porter Jr. is heading into the final year of the four-year rookie deal he signed way back in 2023, and he wants a raise that puts him among the highest-paid corners in the league. Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan has been saying they “love” Porter, but they just couldn’t agree on a new contract. Now, any talk about an extension is off the table until the offseason, if they even happen at all. Porter’s clearly frustrated, saying, “I know you guys are tired of it, and I am too.” He called the whole situation “old news,” saying his emotions on it “already came and went.” He’s focused on getting healthy, and he even denied those trade rumors. The kid was the No. 32 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Penn State, and he’s clearly worth big money.
Unbeaten Bengals on the Horizon
The Steelers secondary could absolutely use Porter Jr.’s 6-foot-2 frame this Sunday. Why? Because Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, along with the unbeaten (2-0) Cincinnati Bengals, are rolling into town. Porter Jr. himself put it perfectly, saying he’d “really like to come back for considering [Chase] is on the opposite side.” He knows the deal, saying, “It’s always a good matchup with the Bengals and what they got over there, their talent. And I always want to sharpen iron on iron.” The Steelers, to a man, have backed him through this whole process, and his return could not come at a better time against an undefeated division rival.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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