Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. appeared to be making progress toward a return to the Steelers lineup this week, but any hope he would make his 2026 debut on Thursd night against the Browns has been dashed.
Porter was ruled out by the Steelers on Wednesday. Porter was listed as a full participant in practice on Monday and Tuesday with conditioning work given as the only reason why he was on the list. He was limited on Wednesday, however, and the back injury that kept him on the physically unable to perform list all summer is back on the report as well.
While the back injury and need for conditioning are the health reasons for Porter’s absence, his inability to secure a contract extension has been the backdrop to the weekly questions about his availability and the one step forward, one step back nature of his practice work does little to suggest that the contract isn’t playing a role.
The Steelers have other injury concerns at corner. Jalen Ramsey is listed as questionable with what he said is a broken wrist and Brandin Echols has the same designation due to a concussion.
Running back Rico Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out for the second straight game.