While eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey came off the physically unable to perform list on Monday, another Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback remains on the PUP list with no end to that stint in sight.
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that the team is currently “at an impasse” with cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is sidelined after aggravating a back injury on the first day of Pittsburgh’s training camp.
Porter, 26, is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Steelers took him with the first pick of the second round (32nd overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. Before sustaining the injury setback, Porter was present at the team’s OTA and mandatory minicamp workouts but was not observed participating during the portions media members were allowed to observe.
Asked for a timeline of when he would want to see Porter on the practice field in order to play him in the Steelers’ regular-season opener vs. Atlanta on Sept. 13, McCarthy didn’t give a specific answer, instead deferring to the uniqueness of this situation.
“I learned this in my early years as a head coach: You have to separate the business and football,” McCarthy said. “Sometimes it’s easier than others. This is a challenge for both Joey and us because we’re first-year staff. We’ve seen them play, compete against Joey.
“I would love the opportunity to coach Joey Porter. I know our defensive guys would love the opportunity. So, we’re at an impasse right here, and you’ve got to respect that. Every one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. But yeah, that’s just kind of where we are.”
Porter has amassed 165 tackles, 31 pass breakups, three interceptions, three tackles for loss and one sack over 47 regular-season games (41 starts) over his first three seasons with Pittsburgh.