{
  "id": 9678017,
  "title": "On Thursday, Mike McCarthy didn't want to say much about Joey Porter Jr.'s status",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/on-thursday-mike-mccarthy-didnt-want-to-say-much-about-joey-porter-jr",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T02:14:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/thursday-mike-mccarthy-didnt-want-021432863.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mike McCarthy, the Steelers coach, initially avoided discussing cornerback Joey Porter Jr.'s availability on Wednesday. However, once the topic arose, McCarthy seemed uncomfortable with it. Porter had been limited in practice, but on Thursday, McCarthy suggested he might continue practicing, leaving the outcome uncertain.\n\nWhen asked about the decision behind Porter's limited practice on Wednesday, McCarthy emphasized that \"We have a plan for every one of our players.\" When questioned if it was the team's plan, McCarthy refused to engage in further questioning.\n\nThis situation took a turn when the team's website initially listed Porter as limited due to conditioning, not injury. The NFL's official report, distributed via email, indicated the same reason. As of now, the team's website has not specified the nature of Porter's injury for any of the injured players, including Porter, Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle, Gennings Dunker, Cole Holcomb, Michael Pittman Jr., Jalen Ramsey, and Jaylen Warren.\n\nThe inconsistency in the Steelers' communication regarding Porter's status is noteworthy. If they have been consistently labeling him as injured, it could pose a challenge for them to claim he was fully fit if they ever decide to take a tough stance with Porter. The situation is becoming increasingly tense, as evidenced by McCarthy's reaction to fair questions about Porter on Thursday.",
  "summary": "On Wednesday, Steelers coach Mike McCarthy wasn't asked about cornerback Joey Porter Jr.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. ‘definitely’ wants to play this season amid stalled talks, back issues",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/steelers-cb-joey-porter-jr-definitely-wants-to-play-this-season-amid",
        "published": "2026-09-24T19:27:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Steelers CB oey Porter Jr denies claim that he requested trade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/steelers-cb-oey-porter-jr-denies-claim-that-he-requested-trade",
        "published": "2026-09-24T23:31:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}