Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. inactive for opener versus Falcons as back issues, contract talks linger
The Steelers made Porter inactive 90 minutes before kickoff, which also happened to be the club's self-imposed deadline to work something out before the season starts. Porter is entering the final season of the rookie contract he signed in 2023. While the Steelers have re-signed several players from his draft class — including edge rusher Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington — they were…
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will not play in the team's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons due to personal back issues and ongoing contract talks. Porter, who signed a rookie contract in 2023, is entering the final season of his current deal. The Steelers have re-signed other players from Porter's draft class, such as edge rusher Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington.
However, they were unable to reach an agreement with Porter before the deadline, which was 90 minutes before kickoff. Porter had previously tweaked his back during a mobility test at training camp in July and spent most of the preseason on the physically unable to perform list. Although coach Mike McCarthy stated that the club was at an impasse in negotiations with Porter in August, Porter returned to practice last week.
The Steelers have a tradition of not negotiating during the season, which means the two sides must wait until mid-January to resolve the contract matter. The team also placed inactive Drew Allar, Will Howard, Gennings Dunker, Kevin Jobity Jr., Gabriel Rubio, Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., Billy Bowman Jr., Malcolm DeWalt, Christian Harris, and Ethan Onianwa for the Falcons.
Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. are inactive due to injuries, allowing Cooper Rush to start.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
