Joey Porter Jr.’s Week 1 status is trending in the wrong direction, and the bigger question in Pittsburgh may be whether he plays for the Steelers again at all.
The fourth-year cornerback is unlikely to suit up Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons because of a back injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Porter missed all of training camp with the injury and has been limited in practice this week, leaving his availability for the opener in serious doubt.
There’s also a contract cloud hanging over the situation. Porter and the Steelers have spent the offseason trying to hammer out a long-term extension, but the sides have not come close to a deal. Pittsburgh’s window to negotiate runs through kickoff of Week 1, and at this point, it does not appear an agreement will be reached in time.
The Steelers’ decision to rule out Doneiko Slaughter for the game only added to the sense that Porter’s chances of playing were slim.
What makes this story even more notable is that Porter’s future in Pittsburgh may be shifting beyond just this week. Schefter reported that a trade remains in play for the cornerback, suggesting the possibility that Porter could be moved before he ever takes another snap for the Steelers.
That idea has been floating around for a while. It’s not the first time it’s been reported that Porter could ask for a trade if a deal between him and the Steelers never gets done. Now, that possibility appears to be edging closer to reality.
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