Mike McCarthy provides injury update on Joey Porter Jr, Jalen Ramsey

Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defenders Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Jaquan Brisker watch the action against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Trainin

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What is the story about?

Training camp is now in the rearview mirror, and we did not see either of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top two defensive backs practice at all at Saint Vincent College due to injuries. Both Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey were placed on the physically unable to perform list on July 28th as training camp began.

During his Wednesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said the two are making progress and did not seem to have much long-term concern, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.

Ramsey suffered a knee injury during offseason minicamp. The injury did not require surgery but did keep Ramsey out for the entirety of camp. Things are a little bit more complicated with Porter Jr., who was a surprise addition to the PUP list before camp began with a back injury. However, there is plenty of reasonable speculation as to whether Porter Jr. not practicing has anything to do with his ongoing contract negotiations with the team.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon became the highest-paid corner in NFL history with a $132 million, earning him $33 million per season. If the Steelers are to get something done with Porter Jr. before the season, we can reasonably expect the number to be at least $30 million per season.

For now, it seems like McCarthy is confident that his starting defensive backs will both be healthy enough to play in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers head coach emphasized the importance of letting the young guys play in the preseason, and plenty of young corners will get increased work, as they have all summer long with the absence of two of Pittsburgh’s best.

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