As back issues and a tense contract stalemate sideline the rising star, Pittsburgh’s secondary braces for a high-stakes divisional showdown against Cincinnati’s elite aerial attack.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) for their Week 2 contest at the New England Patriots.
Porter was ruled out this week after facing a setback with his back injury during practice on Thursday. He was spotted leaving the practice field with a trainer. He started the week with a status of NIR/conditioning on the injury report, but the back injury was added on Thursday.
The injury comes amid Porter's contract dispute with the Steelers, who have a long history of ending negotiations at the start of the regular season. There have been conflicting reports on Porter's status with the Steelers, with some suggesting it's unclear if the cornerback will suit up for Pittsburgh again.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Porter's back injury "flared up" when the cornerback tried to go full speed at practice. The Steelers have not gotten the 2023 second-round pick back to where he needs to be to play.
However, Porter is eyeing the Steelers' Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals as a return date, a game the cornerback is "fired up" to play in.
The Steelers might think, as one source described this week, that Porter is 'fired up about playing against Cincinnati,' but there is a business angle to this situation that cannot be ignored as the sides remain at an impasse in contract discussions," Schefter wrote.
In the meantime, Porter is "considering" seeking a second opinion on his back.
Without Porter, the Steelers secondary limited Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Cooper Rush to 143 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in Pittsburgh's 20-13 win in Week 1.
Obviously, the Cincinnati Bengals would be a much tougher matchup for the Steelers, as they'd face Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
The dynamic between the Steelers and Porter continues to be murky early in the regular season. The situation appears fluid and could change depending on the business outcome between the two parties and what a second opinion could find in Porter's back.
In the meantime, the Steelers will defend Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who will be without star receiver A.J. Brown.
