Steelers training camp: Joey Porter Jr dominates first padded practice

Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

After a day's delay, the pads went on for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Latrobe under the scorching hot sun. Temperatures reached the mid-90s with heat index on Wednesday, which made for perfect conditions to see what everyone could do in pads for the first time this season. That said, here is what is being reported in Latrobe.

A dominant day for Joey Porter Jr

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One of the constant criticisms when it comes to Joey Porter Jr. is that his tackling ability has been subpar. He seems to be making a genuine effort to ditch that label. Per Nick

Farabaugh of PennLive, Porter was credited with three run stops during team drills.

JPJ having a GREAT team run period. 3 run stops in this period alone.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 30, 2025

Porter was also setting the physical tone in terms of scuffles, as he and Robert Woods got into a skirmish. The young cornerback has had a terrific camp thus far, and seems to have shown up to Latrobe with a point to prove - that he is in the conversation of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. A big year could prove just that.

Troy Fautanu has big day

Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The second-year right tackle had what sounds like his best day of camp thus far. Per Nick Farabaugh, Fautanu stood up T.J. Watt on two reps, and opened up a nice hole on the right side for Jaylen Warren to run through for a 10-yard gain in team drills.

Troy Fautanu with two decisive wins against T.J. Watt in DL-OL one-on-ones

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 30, 2025

That’s music to the ears of fans who know how important this offensive line is to the success of Pittsburgh’s offense, especially when it comes to keeping Aaron Rodgers upright.

Calvin Anderson making things interesting at LT

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The Steelers will all but certainly enter the 2025 season with Broderick Jones as the starting left tackle. However, with early struggles and an injury being the story of his first week of camp, Calvin Anderson showed something on Wednesday that could lead the Steelers to make a switch should they feel the need to. Anderson went 2-0 in reps against Alex Highsmith, per Alan Saunders of Steelers Now.

Offensive line had a nice day in the first OL/DL 1 on 1 session.

I had Troy Fautanu going 2-0 vs. T.J. Watt

McCormick 1-1 Harmon
Frazier 1-1 Benton
C. Anderson 2-0 Highsmith
Cook 2-0 Sawyer
Nester 2-1 Black

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) July 30, 2025

Anderson is a veteran who has appeared in 50 career games with 14 starts. Should Jones have a rough start, and the Steelers see it as a point of no return with him, it’s good to know that Anderson is showing the capability to be plugged into the starting lineup.

Seven shots results

1. Jaylen Warren run up middle (TD)
2. Aaron Rodgers pass batted down by blitzing DeShon Elliott
3. Aaron Rodgers to Jonnu Smith (TD)
4. Mason Rudolph to Brandon Johnson (TD)
5. Joey Porter Jr blows up run by Kaleb Johnson
6. Jack Sawyer stops Max Hurleman
7. Aaron Rodgers hits DK Metcalf (TD)

Offense wins 4-3, per Alan Saunders.

#Steelers offense won seven shots, 4-3

Warren run middle, TD
Rodgers to Skowronek slant, Elliott PBU
Rodgers to Smith slant, TD (bust)
Rudolph to Johnson dig, TD (Porter)
Johnson run right, Otomewo/Porter TFL
Hurleman run middle, Sawyer tackle
Rodgers PA Metcalf corner left, TD…

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) July 30, 2025

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