Joey Porter Jr. has not stepped on the field this season for the Steelers, and his status for this weekend’s clash against the Cincinnati Bengals is still totally up in the air. The star corner is dealing with a back injury and a huge contract negotiation that just went sideways, leaving everyone wondering when he’ll actually suit up.
What’s Up With That Back?
Porter Jr. finally spoke to the media on Thursday, the first time all season, and he didn’t exactly clear things up. When asked if he’d play against the Bengals, he was vague, saying, “I don’t know. We’ve still got two more days to practice.” He did offer a small silver lining, adding, “I just know I did everything today, and it went smooth. So we’re gonna just keep working.” So, progress? Maybe. He’s missed all of training camp and preseason with this back injury. He also shot down reports he was seeking a second opinion, just saying his back “flares up here and there.” The good news? He said “Yeah, definitely” when asked if he plans to play “at some point” this season.
Millions on the Table, No Deal Done
This isn’t just about his back; there’s a serious contract standoff happening too. Porter Jr. is gunning for a long-term extension, but the Steelers haven’t been able to agree on guaranteed money. The buzz is he turned down a deal worth upwards of $27 million *per season*. That’s a massive amount of cash! He shrugged it off, saying, “It didn’t get done. It didn’t happen. That’s really just old news for me now.” He says he’s focused on getting back to 100%. What makes it even tougher is the Steelers have this old-school rule about not negotiating extensions once the season kicks off. So, that door is basically slammed shut until next offseason. And nope, he’s not requested a trade.
So, what now? Porter Jr.’s return is going to be a huge deal, and honestly, we’ve got way more questions than answers. The Steelers face the Bengals this weekend, and we’ll all be watching to see if Porter Jr. finally makes his season debut. Until then, it’s a waiting game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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