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Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Unlikely to Play in Week 1 Due to Contract Dispute and Injury
Confirmed
In Short: Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers' veteran cornerback, is unlikely to play in the team's season opener against the Falcons due to a back injury and contract negotiations, according to reports.
Steelers' cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is unlikely to play in the team's season opener against the Falcons due to a back injury and ongoing contract negotiations, according to reports. The Steelers are not negotiating with Porter once the regular season starts, and he could be traded, with teams reportedly asking for a premium draft pick, likely a first-round pick.
Porter, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, has been dealing with a back injury this summer and was hoping to get an extension before the 2026 season. The Steelers have a tradition of not negotiating contracts once the regular season begins, and it's unclear how much of Porter's absence is related to the contract dispute versus his injury.
Veteran cornerback Mike Jackson is also entering the final year of his two-year deal. If Porter is traded, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys are among the teams considered as potential landing spots. Dallas could benefit from Porter's experience, which could complement their secondary and mentor first-round pick Caleb Downs.
The Steelers may lower their asking price for Porter if he sits out the season, but it's still unclear how much of his absence is due to the contract dispute versus his injury. Asante Samuel Jr. is expected to start in Porter's place for the season opener.
What's confirmed
- Steelers' cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is unlikely to play in the team's season opener against the Falcons due to a back injury and ongoing contract negotiations, according to reports. The Steelers are not negotiating with Porter once the regular season starts, and he could be traded, with teams reportedly asking for a premium draft pick, likely a first-round pick.
- Porter, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, has been dealing with a back injury this summer and was hoping to get an extension before the 2026 season. The Steelers have a tradition of not negotiating contracts once the regular season begins, and it's unclear how much of Porter's absence is related to the contract dispute versus his injury.
- Veteran cornerback Mike Jackson is also entering the final year of his two-year deal. If Porter is traded, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys are among the teams considered as potential landing spots. Dallas could benefit from Porter's experience, which could complement their secondary and mentor first-round pick Caleb Downs.
- The Steelers may lower their asking price for Porter if he sits out the season, but it's still unclear how much of his absence is due to the contract dispute versus his injury. Asante Samuel Jr. is expected to start in Porter's place for the season opener.
What's still developing
- It's worth wondering whether Green Bay is considering a similar move now to add another notable player to its defense.
- Dallas makes sense on several fronts, starting with the fact that Porter would complement what the Cowboys already have in the secondary.
- The Cowboys, who have been in spending mode since trading Micah Parsons last summer, have a considerable amount of cap space and could make a move to acquire Porter if they were inclined to do so.
- 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 @RapSheet and me, and the possibility of a trade remains in play. pic.twitter.com/Iin8JJMzw3 The note about the trade was detailed in a separate article published at 7:30 AM/EST Sunday morning.