Levi

Wallace

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal isn’t final yet but is expected to happen. We should see the move made official within the next few days. Wallace was a four-year starter with the Bills before signing a two-year deal with the Steelers. He appeared in 31 regular season games for the Steelers, 18 of which were credited as starts. Wallace broke up 11 passes in 2023.

Wallace is a six-year veteran who has spent the last two seasons with the Steelers. Since making the Bills as a UDFA in 2018, Wallace has appeared in 83 games and made 70 starts. In his final season with the Bills, Wallace started all 17 games he’s appeared in, and he’s proven to be a reliable starter in a pinch during his time with the Steelers.

Porter was added to the injury report on Thursday, but still got in a limited session in each of the team’s last two practice. The rookie corner has been a near lock down player for the Steelers this season, allowing just one reception for 12 yards on 10 targets while forcing one interception. In addition to Porter, the Steelers also listed cornerbacks Levi Wallace (foot) and James Pierre (ankle) as questionable, with Pierre being a Friday addition to the injury report.

Sutton picked up the hamstring injury last week against the Bills and DNP-ed all week in practice. With S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), CB Levi Wallace (concussion), and CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) also out, the Steelers set up as a tantalizing matchup for Tom Brady, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin.

26-year-old Wallace played out his Bills rookie contract as a 17-game starter in 2021. Starting since 2019, Wallace has six picks over the past three years but isn’t anybody’s idea of a shutdown corner. That is reflected in his salary, which is modest for a corner with Wallace’s experience. His addition does not necessarily mean free agent Joe Haden is gone, as the Steelers could still use another body or two at corner. Ahkello Witherspoon has also hit the open market.

Wallace wasn’t tendered as a restricted free agent, suggesting this deal is worth less than the low tender of $2.133 million. He turns 26 this summer and has started 28 games over the last two seasons. With Josh Norman a free agent, Wallace could be counted on to start again in 2021.

Teams are not usually in the business of letting mid-20s starting cornerbacks walk, especially when they could be retained for as little as $2.133 million. That would have been the price of Wallace’s “original-round” tender. Wallace started 28 games over the past two seasons, picking off four passes. He’s earned decent marks from Pro Football Focus. This could be a situation where what an NFL coach sees does not align with what a data analyst might, but it’s a curious move on the surface. Wallace turns 26 in three months.

Wallace will return to practice after missing the last three games. With Josh Norman (hamstring) expected to miss another week, Buffalo could activate Wallace for Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots.

Wallace will miss at least three games on IR. It’s a blow to a secondary allowing the sixth-most pass yards in the league. Buffalo will go with Josh Norman opposite Tre’Davious White until Wallace returns.

A starting corner, Wallace was quickly ruled out after exiting the first half. The Bills at least have CB Josh Norman making his debut, but it’s a tough injury for an already iffy defense outside of CB Tre’Davious White, the two linebackers, and two safeties.