The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Foxborough without two starters after wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. were ruled out for SundayâÂÂs Week 2 matchup. Pittman was downgraded Saturday, while Porter will miss his second straight game.
Pittman began the week as a limited participant because of a foot injury, then missed practice Thursday and Friday. Pittsburgh designated him questionable before ruling him out Saturday. Porter practiced on a limited basis all week while rebuilding his conditioning, but a back issue was added to his designation Thursday.
Left tackle Troy Fautanu remains questionable with an ankle injury. His progression offers optimism: Fautanu went from no practice Wednesday to limited work Thursday and full participation during FridayâÂÂs walkthrough. Tight end Darnell Washington and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward practiced fully Friday and received no game designations.
The #Steelers have downgraded WR Michael Pittman Jr. to OUT for Sunday's game with a foot injury.
â Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) September 19, 2026
PittmanâÂÂs absence reshapes the passing game
PittmanâÂÂs injury removes the leading receiver in PittsburghâÂÂs season-opening 20-13 victory over Atlanta. The veteran caught all three of his targets for a team-high 58 yards, with two 20-yard gains. He also played 59 offensive snaps, or 88% of PittsburghâÂÂs total.
Without him, DK Metcalf becomes the centerpiece of the passing game. Metcalf drew 10 targets in Week 1 but converted them into only four receptions for 40 yards. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely target him aggressively, particularly in key situations, but Pittsburgh needs more efficiency from that connection.
Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard should receive more playing time. Wilson already played 37 snaps in the opener, while Bernard appeared on only three offensive plays. The second-round rookie caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, and can now join the rotation.
Pittsburgh could also compensate with heavier tight-end personnel. WashingtonâÂÂs return from a personal absence gives the Steelers their blocking specialist, while Pat Freiermuth offers Rodgers a dependable target. Freiermuth caught five passes for 46 yards and PittsburghâÂÂs only offensive touchdown in Week 1.
PorterâÂÂs absence tests PittsburghâÂÂs secondary
PorterâÂÂs continued absence places Asante Samuel Jr. in line to start again. Porter spent training camp on the physically unable to perform list because of his back and is rebuilding his conditioning. He left ThursdayâÂÂs practice with a trainer before the back designation reappeared, preventing his return.
The Steelers must now lean on Samuel and Jamel Dean as their primary outside cornerbacks, with rookie Daylen Everette positioned as the next option. That arrangement held up during the opening victory, but PorterâÂÂs press-man ability and physical coverage style cannot be replicated. Pittsburgh may mix zone and man coverages while providing more safety assistance outside.
FautanuâÂÂs status is the remaining major question. A full Friday workload is highly encouraging and suggests he has a realistic chance to start and play every snap. If he cannot play, Pittsburgh would likely move Dylan Cook to left tackle and insert first-round rookie Max Iheanachor on the right side, disrupting both tackle spots.
The final report is relatively short, but the two confirmed absences remove important players from opposite sides of the ball. Pittsburgh must replace PittmanâÂÂs route volume and production while again operating without its top cover cornerback. Metcalf, Wilson, Bernard and Freiermuth must collectively fill the offensive void, while Samuel and Dean carry increased responsibility defensively.
A 1-0 start gives the Steelers valuable early-season momentum, but Sunday will truly measure their overall depth. Winning on the road will require Rodgers to distribute the ball very effectively, the offensive line to remain stable and PittsburghâÂÂs replacement cornerbacks to avoid surrendering explosive plays.