The Pittsburgh Steelers have been very aggressive this NFL offseason. Mike Tomlin might be on the hot seat for some people, but the team has given him everything to prove doubters wrong this year, including signing Aaron Rodgers as the new quarterback. However, one of the team’s defensive players is injured and both coach and signal-caller just got updated on the situation.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been a solid starter for the team for the last two seasons. He’s started 27 of 33 games played. However, he is considered day-to-day as he is dealing with an “unspecified ailment,” says Brooke Pryor, NFL insider for ESPN. Corner Cory Trice sustained a hamstring injury in practice and offensive lineman Calvin Anderson had a lower body injury in Thursday’s practice as well.
The most delicate one is Porter, as he was a staple on this team. It’s also somewhat strange that the ailment is undisclosed. While it seems like Porter shouldn’t be in any danger of missing games, the team is likely to monitor the issue internally and with caution.
Porter is on a ‘prove it’ season
While Porter has been a regular starter, his spot is in jeopardy. The Steelers brought two veterans who are still on top of their games in Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey. Both are Super Bowl champions with heavy contracts so Porter’s starting spot is not written in stone by any means.
Joey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Besides, not only is he unavailable right now, but last year he was burned quite too many times. Porter allowed 62.8% of the passes thrown his way to be completed. Quarterbacks throwing his way had an 82.7 passer rate. In comparison to his rookie season, Porter had a down year.
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The Steelers secondary should be one of the best in the NFL
As mentioned before, Ramsey and Slay should be one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. Both are All Pros and multiple-time Pro Bowlers. If you add Porter trying to get back into his rookie form, where he was fifth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, this is as deep as a cornerback room can get.
They did lose one of the best safeties in the league in Minkah Fitzpatrick, but new signings Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark should be good to replace him. The Steelers are known for their fierce defense but this year it can be elevated to even higher levels. Let Tomlin coach them to elite level while Rodgers guides the offense to greener paths.
