The Steelers head into Foxborough with a chance to open the season 2-0, but they’ll have to do it without two notable pieces in the passing game.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. have both been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots. That leaves Pittsburgh thinner on both sides of the ball in a game where the passing attack and pass defense figure to matter against Drake Maye and New England.
Pittman’s absence comes down to a foot injury that kept him out of practice Thursday and Friday after he was limited on Wednesday. The Steelers officially downgraded him to out for the game.
Porter, meanwhile, is set to miss his second game of the season as his contract situation remains unresolved. The Steelers set a Week 1 deadline for extension talks, and with that date already gone by, his future in Pittsburgh is still uncertain.
The only other player worth watching on the injury report is Troy Fautanu, who is listed as questionable after fully practicing Friday while working through an ankle injury.
Pittman’s absence opens the door for rookie Germie Bernard to see his first real NFL workload. Bernard didn’t catch a pass in Week 1 and was on the field for just three offensive snaps, while DK Metcalf, Pittman and Roman Wilson handled most of the snaps. Kaeden Wetjen and Ben Skowronek also dressed against Atlanta, but both were used primarily on special teams and did not play on offense.
In Other News...
Steelers Fans Wont Like What Joey Porter Jr. Might Be Worth
The contract picture around Joey Porter Jr. has become one of the more uncomfortable talking points in Pittsburgh, because the Steelers and the young corner still have not reached an extension agreement. For a team that has invested in developing Porter into a key part of its secondary, the lack of a deal has naturally led to trade speculation, even if nothing has been publicly finalized.
What may sting most for Steelers fans is the sense that the return would not match the talent or the expectations surrounding him. Early talk suggests Pittsburgh might only be looking at a second- or third-round pick if it ever got serious about moving him, which is a far cry from the kind of haul some around the league may have once imagined. For now, the situation is still unresolved, and the longer it drags on, the more it invites questions about where Porter fits in the Steelers' future. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Secondary Faces A Different Kind Of Test This Week
A.J. Brown landing on injured reserve changes the shape of Pittsburghs Week 2 assignment, but it does not make the Patriots passing game any easier to sort out. Mike Vrabel said Brown worked from multiple receiver spots, and with him out, New England is expected to spread those looks around, using players such as Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Romeo Doubs in different ways.
For the Steelers secondary, the challenge becomes less about tracking one featured target and more about adjusting to a receiver rotation that can shift from snap to snap. Browns absence removes a familiar centerpiece, but it also leaves Pittsburgh preparing for a more varied New England attack, which can be its own kind of test for a defensive backfield. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Could Be Forced To Lean On An Unexpected Rookie In Week 2
The Steelers are heading into a Week 2 matchup with New England already having to sort through a receiver situation that could reshape their game plan. Michael Pittman Jr. is listed as questionable because of a foot injury, and if he cannot go, Pittsburgh may need to turn to Germie Bernard, a rookie who was still trying to make his mark in the preseason not long ago.
Bernards possible jump from developmental depth piece to meaningful snaps would be a notable twist for an offense that would prefer more certainty this early in the season. The Patriots present a good test for any young receiver, and Pittsburgh may find itself leaning on Bernard sooner than expected if Pittmans status does not clear up before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]