Steelers news: Joey Porter Jr. officially ruled out for Week 2 vs. Patriots

The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the New England Patriots in Week 2, and they will be without cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Porter has been dealing with a back injury since the offseason, and he was ruled out again for the upcoming matchup. Despite making progress in recent weeks, Porter was limited to individual drills during this week's practice.

As soon as he fully participates with the team, it will be a clear indication of his readiness to return to the field. Porter's presence at the team facility on the final day of practice has raised hopes for his recovery, but the injury report is still pending. Over the past month, Porter has faced not only his back injury but also trade rumors as the Steelers opted not to extend his contract before the season.

While there are teams interested in trading for Porter, they would need to pay him the salary he deserves, given his performance as the Steelers' best cornerback. The team's priority remains ensuring Porter's health to enable his return to play.