Steelers Joey Porter Jr. Unlikely to a Play Sunday Against Falcons— Trade Remaining Possibility

Plenty of time has gone by to get a deal done. However, the two sides have yet to reach any kind of agreement. Now the Pittsburgh Steelers Joey Porter Jr. is unlikely to play Sunday against the Falcons with an early season trade remaining a possibility. There is no big-money contract extension for the young star, despite the two sides negotiating up until the day before the season.

This is certainly not the news Steelers fans wanted during Week One and before their first game could even be played. Trade PTSD is most likely setting in right about now. Especially, when thinking how George Pickens got to the Dallas Cowboys.

Nevertheless, something certainly felt “off” and afoot when just around 24 hours ago Pittsburgh announced some roster news. The Steelers took a moment to announce that they elevated DB Doneiko Slaughter to the game day Active/Inactive Roster from the Practice Squad. Thus, providing the franchise with some potential depth as Joey Porter Jr.’s status remained up in the air.

Flash forward to the wee hours of Sunday morning and Joey’s status no longer was a mystery. ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported,

“Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr., who has been embroiled in a contract dispute all summer, is unlikely to play Sunday against the Falcons because of a back injury, per Ian Rapaport and me, and the possibility of a trade remains in play.”

This latest development demonstrates how Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.’s future in Pittsburgh is murky. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo adds, “The sides haven’t been close and today was the Steelers’ deadline to get a contract done. Porter Jr. is out today with a back injury.”

Steelers Joey Porter Jr. Unlikely to a Play Sunday Against Falcons— Trade Remaining Possibility

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also confirmed Sunday morning that Asante Samuel Jr. is in line to start for the Steelers at corner in place of Joey Porter Jr. He’s had a strong preseason.

He also explained how Steelers negotiations with Porter Jr. went. Fowler explains, “Momentum for a deal just hasn’t been there. 2023 draft picks getting paid by Pittsburgh — linebacker Nick Herbig and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, who received four-year extensions this summer — play smaller roles. Sources say the Steelers’ lack of a formal offer for weeks sent the clear message to Porter that they would like him to play out the final year of his rookie contract. Which prompted him to consider the possibility of a trade or sitting out for an extended period. The 26-year-old stayed away from the practice field for weeks.”

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