Porter Jr. (back) officially inactive for Week 1

Who could have seen this coming? Porter has yet to suit up for a game this season, and it’s due to either a back issue, his current contract situation, or a mixture of the two. Teams have inquired about his availability via trade, but no deal appears on the horizon for the 26-year-old corner. In addition to Porter, the Steelers also declared RB Rico Dowdle, QB Drew Allar, QB Willi Howard, RB Eli Heidenreich, DE Kevin Jobity Jr., and DE Gabe Rubio inactive for Week 3.

Schefter noted that a handful of teams have called Pittsburgh, so it’s likely more than just Dallas and Detroit. Porter has been locked in an ugly contract dispute with the Steelers since the early offseason, and the team does not negotiate extensions during the season. They also rarely guarantee money beyond the first year of an extension, which has been another sticking point for JPJ’s camp. Per Schefter, the Steelers are willing to listen to offers but want a “strong compensation package” in return. Porter is questionable for Week 3 with a back issue, though the team is simply calling it a matter of conditioning, casting doubt on the validity of Porter’s supposed injury. He has yet to play this season.

He was limited all three days this week and expressed uncertainty about his status for the game when asked on Thursday. He’s best regarded as a true game-time decision; the Steelers would surely like to have him on deck against Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. Joining Porter on the questionable line is fellow CB Jamel Dean (ankle), who was limited the last two practices of the week after missing Wednesday.

It sounds like he’s still dealing with back flareups from time-to-time. Overall, it’s an encouraging sign for his availability in Week 3 that he spoke to the media, but Porter admitted that he did not know if he’d be ready to go against the Bengals. He remains questionable heading into Friday’s practice report even after doing everything today.

Porter was technically ruled out because of his back injury last week. The Steelers aren’t even bothering to list it this time around. The two sides remain at an impasse over a contract extension, and their relationship seems to be spiraling toward a point of no return. We would not expect Porter to return to action for Week 3 versus the Bengals.

This situation looks like it remains touch-and-go as the “business angle to this situation that cannot be ignored as the sides remain at an impasse in contract discussions” continues. Obviously, it would be enormous for the Steelers if they had a healthy Porter for JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins in Week 3. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

Porter was declared out on Friday due to a back issue that also kept him out of Week 1. With his contract situation also up in the air, it is unclear if Porter will return in Week 3. Also inactive for the Steelers are WR Michael Pittman Jr., QB Drew Allar, QB Will Howard, OG Gennings Dunker, DL Kevin Jobity Jr., and DE Gabriel Rubio. Pittman was ruled out with a foot injury while Howard will serve as the team’s emergency third quarterback.

Porter Jr. missed training camp and the first two weeks of the regular season with the back issue. His absence was initially believed to be purely related to his contract situation. He lobbied for a new deal all summer and never seemed to make much progress. But the fact that he is seeking additional medical opinions indicates the back issue is real. The Steelers, on the other hand, aren’t buying it. According to Schefter, they are planning for him to potentially play in Week 3. This situation is getting uglier by the week. It’s possible a trade is best for everyone involved. Until some progress is made, the Steelers will continue to be without their top corner.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported earlier today that the Steelers and Porter are at an impasse over the guaranteed money the Steelers are offering as the two sides attempt to agree on an extension. The Steelers typically do not guarantee any money beyond the deal’s first year. Porter, obviously, takes issue with that policy. He also seemingly has a back injury. According to Pryor, Porter’s relationship with the team may be damaged beyond repair.

According to Pryor, the Steelers’ relationship with Porter “may be fractured beyond repair.” The fourth-year corner has been seeking a contract extension all offseason and missed Week 1 with a back injury that some believe could improve with a new deal. Porter logged a full practice on Wednesday only to reaggravate it on Thursday, putting his Week 2 availability in doubt. According to Pryor, one major holdup in a deal between Porter and the Steelers is the lack of guaranteed money the Steelers are willing to give him. The Steelers typically don’t give out guaranteed money beyond the first year of a deal, but made an exception for T.J. Watt on his extension. Porter reportedly hoped for a similar exception, but so far, that hasn’t happened. This situation remains far from resolved. With Friday’s practice still to go, we’ll see if Porter is ruled in/out before the weekend or if his status will be one to look out for closer to game day.