- May 21, 2026
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The Steelers open their regular season in two days. Once that happens, the team's outdated policy prevents them from doing new contracts.
And that puts even more pressure on the unsettled contract situation between the Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Porter has been limited in practice this week, due to a back injury. He spoke to reporters on Friday, and he was asked if he'll play in the game.
"I hope so, man," Porter said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "That's all I could do is just hope."
Is he prepared to play?
"Yeah, I think so. . . . I mean, it's getting better," Porter said. "I think so. I think it's trending in the right direction, so I could only be happy about that."
If he doesn't play, Porter believes it would be a combination of his back and lack of conditioning.
"I mean, at this point . . . clock's ticking, so it is what it is at this point," Porter said. "We're going to be prepared, where regardless of the situation, we're going to play ball."
But he quite possibly won't play ball if the Steelers don't play ball soon. As of Wednesday night, his status was up in the air.
If a deal gets done by Sunday, then maybe Porter will play. If there's no new contract, things could get very interesting. And awkward. And, depending on how hard the Steelers push their CBA rights, possibly ugly.
And that puts even more pressure on the unsettled contract situation between the Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Porter has been limited in practice this week, due to a back injury. He spoke to reporters on Friday, and he was asked if he'll play in the game.
"I hope so, man," Porter said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "That's all I could do is just hope."
Is he prepared to play?
"Yeah, I think so. . . . I mean, it's getting better," Porter said. "I think so. I think it's trending in the right direction, so I could only be happy about that."
If he doesn't play, Porter believes it would be a combination of his back and lack of conditioning.
"I mean, at this point . . . clock's ticking, so it is what it is at this point," Porter said. "We're going to be prepared, where regardless of the situation, we're going to play ball."
But he quite possibly won't play ball if the Steelers don't play ball soon. As of Wednesday night, his status was up in the air.
If a deal gets done by Sunday, then maybe Porter will play. If there's no new contract, things could get very interesting. And awkward. And, depending on how hard the Steelers push their CBA rights, possibly ugly.