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Joey Porter Jr. injury update: Steelers reveal CB's status in Thursday practice report

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones09/25/25brianjones_93
Joey Porter Jr (1)
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) sits on the bench during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Steelers are preparing for their Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings and gave an injury update on cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The team released their injury/practice report on Thursday, and Porter, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, was a limited participant in practice for the second consecutive day.

Joey Porter Jr. suffered the injury in the Steelers’ season opener against the New York Jets. He has missed the last two games, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin believes Porter and injured safety DeShon Elliott (knee) could return on Sunday.

“DeShon Elliott and Joey Porter certainly have a chance,” Tomlin said on Wednesday, per the Steelers’ official website. “We’ll work those guys this week and let the amount of their participation and the quality of their participation be our guide in terms of their participation in game, and also the amount of participation.

“We were in a similar situation last week with Derrick Harmon, for example. He was deemed healthy enough to play, got him in uniform, but we were certainly cognizant of the number of snaps he played.”

Joey Porter Jr. talks about playing with Darius Slay

Elliott was a limited participant on Thursday, along with RB Jaylen Warren (NIR -resting vet/knee) and TE Jonnu Smith (NIR – resting vet/hip). CB Darius Slay (NIR – resting vet), LB Patrick Queen (oblique), and OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR – resting vet) were full participants in practice, and the players who did not practice were WR DK Metcalf (NIR – resting vet/hip), LB Alex Highsmith (ankle), LB TJ Watt (NIR – resting vet/hip), and DT Cameron Heyward (NIR – resting vet/hip).

The Steelers selected Porter in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2023 after recording 43 tackles, one interception, and 10 passes defended. Last year, Porter collected 70 tackles, one interception, and seven passes defended in 16 games.

Earlier this year, Porter talked about playing with Darius Slay. “I told him I used to watch his tape growing up,” Porter said, per Steelers Now. “I know a lot of guys don’t like when I say that because they feel old, but he’s been in this league for a long time. He’s a great vet. I’ve had some great vets before him. I’m just happy to have him in the building and keep learning from him.”