Trade rumors swirl as a contract stalemate and mysterious back injury sideline the star cornerback for the season opener, sparking a high-stakes standoff in Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been unable to reach a contract extension with 2023 second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. before Sunday's season opener at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
The deadline for a contract extension was Noon ET on Sunday, as the Steelers have a policy of ending negotiations at the start of the regular season.
Amid Porter's contract negotiations, which ramped up last week, the cornerback has been dealing with a back injury that kept him on the PUP list for almost all of training camp. He was limited in practice this week due to the issue and was listed as questionable to play.
On Sunday, a couple of developments popped that showed things in the relationship between the two parties aren't great at the moment.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, there is chatter about the Steelers trading Porter.
"Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr., who has been embroiled in a contract dispute all summer, is unlikely to play Sunday against the Falcons because of a back injury, per (Ian Rapoport) and me, and the possibility of a trade remains in play," Schefter posted on X.
Pittsburgh made Porter inactive against the Falcons on Sunday. It's unclear if that was due to his back issue or if he chose not to play Atlanta because of contract reasons.
On Saturday, the Steelers elevated defensive back Doneiko Slaughter from the practice squad.
On Friday, Porter was hopeful he could play regardless of his contract status.
"I mean, at this point we got, what, 42 [hours]?" Porter said."I don't know how many we got until game day, but the clock's ticking, so it is what it is. At this point, we're going to be prepared. Regardless of the situation, we're going to want to play ball.
"I'm trying to be optimistic about anything and everything and all possible outcomes. ... I hope it could get done, hopefully before then, but if it happens, it happens."
Because Porter will head into the regular season needing a new contract before next season, he will need to put up good tape this season. He'll have to be on the field to do so.
