The Pittsburgh Steelers just made yet another Joey Porter Jr.-sized decision, one that feels eerily familiar to the move the team made last week.
Courtesy of the Week 3 practice report, the Steelers removed Porter's back injury designation for the second time in two weeks. Porter was still a limited participant in practice, but it listed exclusively as non-injury related/conditioning.
The Steelers have, yet again, removed the back injury designation from Joey Porter Jr.’s status today, listing him only as NIR/Conditioning. He was limited
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) September 23, 2026
Porter, who was drafted by the Steelers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, emerged as one of the league's top coverage cornerbacks, locking down some of the best wide receivers while not allowing
a single touchdown when targeted since his rookie season. Unfortunately, Porter and the Steelers couldn't see eye to an eye on contract value before the team's self-imposed deadline of the regular season.
Yet to make his 2026 season debut, Porter is reportedly expected by the Steelers to suit up for the Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The timing couldn't be better for the Steelers, as the Bengals are off to a red hot start at 2-0 and possess an exceptionally talented wide receiver duo of JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins, two terrifying weapons that Porter has found success in covering over the past few years.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers make interesting Joey Porter Jr. decision ahead of Week 3
