Joey

Porter

Porter, 25, is eligible for an extension this offseason, with one year remaining on his rookie contract. Roughly one month ago, a report indicated that Porter would make “around $22 million to $27 million per year” on a new deal. If Porter is hoping to significantly surpass those numbers, a delay in negotiations makes sense. The Steelers’ $3.192 million in salary cap space ranks dead last this season. Unfortunately, they only have $6.6 million in salary cap space next season. Porter made the 2023 PFWA All-Rookie Team and has racked up 21 pass breakups over the past three seasons.

Pittsburgh has been handling in-house business over the last week, re-signing Darnell Washington and Nate Herbig to major extensions. It would not be surprising if Porter — whom DeFabo classifies as a “hold in” in OTAs — as next on the priority list.

Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he felt good about having both players available this week and after five full practices between them, both will be back in the fold. Porter has not played since Week 1, while Highsmith has been out since Week 2. The Steelers defense looks to be at almost full strength on Sunday against the Browns.

Porter is firmly on track to return following the Steelers’ Week 5 bye. Steelers LB Alex Highsmith’s limited participation is a positive, but one would have preferred to see him practice in full after rehabbing his injured ankle for three-plus weeks. Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) was sidelined today.

It didn’t seem like Warren had much of an injury and he apparently showed well in Monday’s (non-injury report required) practice. Tomlin also said that Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) and Alex Highsmith (ankle) were likely to be back this week. Warren will slide right back into an RB2/FLEX role on most fantasy rosters.

Porter Jr. returned to practice this week and was listed as questionable on Friday. With a game in Ireland on tap for today, the Steelers have their bye next week. They are likely playing things safe and giving Porter Jr. one more week to recover from the hamstring issue he suffered in Week 1.

Porter Jr. suffered the hamstring issue in Week 1 and has been out ever since. He did not practice at all last week, so a limited designation is a step in the right direction. Pittsburgh’s defense has been underwhelming to start the year and injuries have been part of the issue. Getting Porter Jr. back would be a big help in turning things around against Carson Wentz and the Vikings.

He didn’t practice all week for the second-straight week and could be an IR candidate over the weekend as the Steelers set their roster. His absence should help make fantasy managers more than comfortable firing up fantasy-relevant members of the Patriots passing game.

Harmon’s return to practice could not have come at a better time. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin already said CB Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) is “questionable at best” to play in Week 3 against the Patriots. He was unable to practice, as was S DeShon Elliott (knee). Steelers LB Alex Highsmith (ankle) is likely due for an extended absence, though he was able to avoid being placed on injured reserve.

Porter missed last week’s loss to the Seahawks while recovering from a hamstring injury and could sit out this week against the Patriots. The Steelers’ secondary has struggled to start the season, allowing the NFL’s sixth highest adjusted yards per attempt and the seventh highest accuracy rate. Porter’s absence could be a boon for Drake Maye in Week 3.