Easy come, easy go. Although previous reports indicated that the Pittsburgh Steelers were anticipating that Joey Porter Jr. would make his 2026 season debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, a new update may have just dashed those hopes.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Porter is "unlikely to make his season debut Sunday against the Bengals," which will leave the Steelers down their top cornerback for the third straight game. Although Pelissero added that Porter is trending in the right direction for a return to the field, Week 3 would've been the ideal debut.
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. appears unlikely to make his season debut Sunday against the Bengals. But he is trending in the right direction to be back on the field soon — with a trade
still a possibility. More in The Sweep: https://t.co/eHa9CTRAn8 pic.twitter.com/9Cm0ecXM2w
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 26, 2026
In Porter's absence, Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. have been handling the outside cornerback duties. But Dean is currently questionable to play against Cincinnati in Week 3, and the team may need to rely on rookie third-round cornerback Daylen Everette in his place.
Porter's absence will definitely be felt more than ever in Week 3, as the Bengals boast arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and the Steelers may not have the cornerback talent to line up against them.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers get bad news on Joey Porter Jr.'s Week 3 status
