The Pittsburgh Steelers tend to take a practical approach to managing injuries with their players and sitting out 2023 second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. for Friday night's first preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers follows that pattern. Porter has returned to practice since missing Friday's exhibition contest. He is hopefully on track to make his pro football debut on Saturday night when Pittsburgh hosts the Buffalo Bills.
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Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr gets a rep in during the team's 2023 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Mike DeFabo is one of the beat writers covering the team for The Athletic, and he joined former NFL player Dorin Dickerson and Adam Crowley on The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday morning. He said he thinks Porter was held out from playing as a precaution rather than because the ailment he's dealing with is all that serious.
"He rolled the ankle. They taped it up, and he came back to practice, no big deal," DeFabo said. "I think it's one of those things that you don't want an ankle injury to linger until the end of the year because you didn't address it properly when you have the time."
Veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson thinks that the rookie has the kind of intangibles to have an even better career than he's had, and he is likely ending with a gold jacket ceremony in Canton someday. Some media members like DeFabo's colleague at The Athletic, Mark Kaboly, believe Porter is in line to start Week 1, but DeFabo isn't so sure.
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Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace participates in team training in 2022.
He's been watching practices at Saint Vincent College closely, and said the way things have been going so far, it's more likely that the team bring him up to speed slowly rather than throw him in as the opening-day starter.
Levi Wallace has 61 career starts in the NFL, with nine coming last year during his first year in Pittsburgh. He led the cornerback room in interceptions last year with four and finished second on the team in passes defended per Pro Football Reference.
DeFabo said it's been the veteran taking the majority of the first-team reps in practice leading him to think Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin will gradually give the rookie more chances throughout the season to work his way into being a starting outside corner. Peterson's ability to play multiple spots in the secondary will be key to an increase in Porter's playing time.
"I think what is going to happen if they get healthy enough to do it when Peterson moves to the nickel or safety, that's when Porter is going to be broken in slowly and more situationally," he said. "Right now, he's not been getting the number one reps, that can change but for right now, he's not been."
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin often talks about practice being a guide to whether players will suit up for games, so keep an eye on Porter in the final three practices in Latrobe to potentially get a hint on Porter's participation against Buffalo. A big performance for Porter against the Bills or in the final tune-up game against the Atlanta Falcons could accelerate the timeline.
Steelers Cornerback Room Still Unsettled Entering 2023
Pittsburgh has had an open competition for the nickel cornerback job. Duke Dawson, a former second-round pick by the New England Patriots had been battling with free agent addition Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley for the role but was waived on August 14. The team made a pair of moves to add more depth bringing in Lavert Hill and Nevelle Clarke.
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Steelers defensive back Elijah Riley makes a tackle during the team's 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
DeFabo thinks the veteran Sullivan is in line to start the season at the nickel spot, but once Porter's role increased, he'll see more time on the bench barring injuries. The writer said once the rookie is taking more full-time outside snaps, Peterson will steal the nickel reps away from his former Minnesota Vikings teammate.
The other wild card on the roster at the moment is James Pierre. The fourth-year player led the team with 10 tackles in the first preseason game, but struggled to in the passing game. DeFabo wonders if rookie Cory Trice Jr. hadn't been lost for the season due to injury, if Pierre would even be in the running to make the team at all.
There are still two weeks of preseason games to go before the team has to make final decisions on the roster, but the cornerback room is shaping up to be an intriguing position to watch.
If you were making the cuts who would be on the outside looking in? Who would be your starters? Comment below!
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