Category: Joey Porter Jr.

Cory Trice Jr’s elite play puts Steelers in an awkward position

Cory Trice Jr.’s stellar play creates a tough decision for the Steelers with Joey Porter Jr.’s and Donte Jackson’s potential return.

In what can only be described as a great problem to have, Cory Trice Jr.’s fantastic coverage abilities over the past two weeks have created another positional battle for fans to keep their eyes on.

Trice has stepped up admirably in the absence of injured starting cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. However, with the duo seemingly prepared to make their long-awaited return against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18, Trice now finds himself as the odd man out of the starting lineup, despite arguably playing as the best defender in the Steelers’ secondary in Week 17.

Porter infamously caused six costly penalties against the Bengals in his efforts to cover wide receiver Tee Higgins back in Week 13, and Jackson gave up a touchdown in that contest as well.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary scrambling for answers regarding their role in the second-half collapse of the once-dominant Black and Gold defense, Trice could be the perfect solution opposite either Porter or Jackson if changes in coverage are needed.

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Is Joey Porter Jr. playing this week? Injury updates for the Steelers’ CB

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is dealing with a knee injury sustained in loss to Baltimore Ravens. Here’s the latest update.

After missing last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is back to work and expected to play Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. This is according to head coach Mike Tomlin in his Monday press conference.

Porter, a standout in Pittsburgh’s secondary, has been instrumental in locking down opposing receivers, and his return should help bolster a secondary that has struggled due to injuries.

This week the Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals who have one of the most formidable wide receiver units in the NFL led by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Joey Porter Jr. injury update

Porter sustained the injury during the Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He missed the Christmas Day game vs the Chiefs mainly due to the short turnaround between games.

Steelers cornerback depth chart

Injuries to Porter and fellow cornerback Donte Jackson have really hurt this secondary. This group should be at full strength this week, allowing Cory trice to be the No. 4 cornerback and work in with James Pierre.

Here’s a look at Pittsburgh’s depth chart.

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Is Joey Porter Jr. playing today? Injury updates for the Steelers’ CB

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is dealing with a knee injury sustained in loss to Baltimore Ravens. Here’s the latest update.

Joey Porter Jr. (knee) is officially ruled out for this afternoon’s pivotal Christmas Day showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Porter, a standout in Pittsburgh’s secondary, has been instrumental in locking down opposing receivers, and his absence could create a significant gap. Patrick Mahomes, known for his precision and ability to exploit defensive mismatches, will likely target the Steelers’ weakened secondary with Porter sidelined. Look for veteran James Pierre and second-year player Cory Trice Jr. to step up.

The Steelers’ defensive unit, already facing a challenging task, must adjust quickly to contain Kansas City’s high-powered offense. Key players like T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith must apply pressure while depth players attempt to cover for Porter’s absence. This injury could heavily influence the playoff implications of this holiday showdown.

Joey Porter Jr. injury update

Porter sustained the injury during the Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, raising concerns about their defense against Patrick Mahomes and his receiving weapons.

How long will Joey Porter Jr. be out?

The Steelers are likely to err on the side of caution with Porter. The Steelers need to win their final two games to stay competitive with the Baltimore Ravens (who face the Texans and Browns) and keep their hopes of winning the AFC North alive. However, with a playoff berth already in sight, having Porter healthy and ready for the postseason will be crucial.

Steelers cornerback depth chart

Fellow cornerback Donte Jackson (back) was sidelined for Week 16 but, thankfully, is back in the lineup this week. With Porter out, the Steelers will turn to a combination of Pierre and Trice at outside cornerback alongside Jackson.

Here’s a look at Pittsburgh’s depth chart.

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Will Joey Porter Jr. play this week? Injury updates for Steelers CB

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is dealing with a knee injury sustained in loss to Baltimore Ravens. Here’s the latest update.

Joey Porter Jr. (knee) is officially ruled out for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pivotal Christmas Day showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Porter, a standout in Pittsburgh’s secondary, has been instrumental in locking down opposing receivers, and his absence could create a significant gap. Patrick Mahomes, known for his precision and ability to exploit defensive mismatches, will likely target the Steelers’ weakened secondary with Porter sidelined. Look for veteran James Pierre and second-year player Cory Trice Jr. to step up.

The Steelers’ defensive unit, already facing a challenging task, must adjust quickly to contain Kansas City’s high-powered offense. Key players like T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith must apply pressure while depth players attempt to cover for Porter’s absence. This injury could heavily influence the playoff implications of this holiday showdown.

Joey Porter Jr. injury update

Porter sustained the injury during the Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, raising concerns about their defense against Patrick Mahomes and his receiving weapons.

How long will Joey Porter Jr. be out?

The Steelers are likely to err on the side of caution with Porter. The Steelers need to win their final two games to stay competitive with the Baltimore Ravens (who face the Texans and Browns) and keep their hopes of winning the AFC North alive. However, with a playoff berth already in sight, having Porter healthy and ready for the postseason will be crucial.

Steelers cornerback depth chart

Fellow cornerback Donte Jackson (back) was sidelined for Week 16 but, thankfully, is back in the lineup this week. With Porter out, the Steelers will turn to a combination of Pierre and Trice at outside cornerback alongside Jackson.

Here’s a look at Pittsburgh’s depth chart.

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Steelers provide concerning update on Joey Porter Jr. injury

Joey Porter Jr.’s injury may leave the Steelers shorthanded as they face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Christmas Day.

Regarding the injury woes that have haunted the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, when it rains, it pours. Week 16’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens brought yet another setback for the Black and Gold, as starting CB Joey Porter Jr. suffered a calf injury during the contest.

Initially, the injury seemed minor, with the Steelers cornerback managing to return to the Week 16 matchup. However, the true severity of the injury revealed itself shortly afterward.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor would report that sideline trainers indicated Porter’s knee was injured as well, and this combination with the calf injury was too much for the young cornerback to play on.

HC Mike Tomlin couldn’t ease concerns about Porter’s injury, stating that it is unlikely the Steelers cornerback will recover in time for the Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.


Porter is arguably the Steelers’ best lockdown corner, and his absence will be deeply felt against three-time Super Bowl-winning QB Patrick Mahomes in Week 17’s matchup between the Steelers and Chiefs on Christmas Day, at 1:00 PM EST.

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Expect more Joey Porter Jr. penalties with Week 14 officiating crew

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. must be more disciplined vs the Cleveland Browns because of flag-happy officiating crew.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 14 of the 2024 NFL season. A key factor in this matchup will be the officiating crew, led by referee Land Clark.

According to NFLpenalties.com, Clark and his officiating team frequently call false starts (30), offensive holding (22), and defensive pass interference (15). Although Clark’s crew doesn’t lead the league in DPIs, they rank among the highest, which is particularly relevant for Joey Porter Jr. Clark’s crew called Porter just once for DPI in Pittsburgh’s Week 4 loss at Indianapolis.

Known for his physical play, Porter has struggled with penalties, drawing six flags (four accepted) in a recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals. These six penalties marked the most by an NFL cornerback since Week 3 of the 2022 season, though only four were enforced.

Mike Tomlin has expressed patience with Porter’s aggressive style, emphasizing the need to match opponents’ physicality like the Browns’ receivers. However, given the officiating tendencies, Porter must balance his assertiveness with clean technique to prevent penalties that could shift momentum.

Porter must be especially disciplined to avoid costly penalties that could benefit the Browns. Porter’s ability to adapt to the referees’ calling style will minimize penalties and limit the Browns’ offensive opportunities. A disciplined performance from Porter could be a deciding factor in the game’s outcome.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin offers advice to Joey Porter on reducing penalties

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discusses Joey Porter Jr.’s growth, balancing technique with remaining aggressive against NFL receivers.

Mike Tomlin remains steadfast in his approach to developing second-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr., emphasizing a balance between technical discipline and physicality. Speaking during his weekly press conference, Tomlin acknowledged Porter’s unnecessary penalties while offering insights on refining his game.

Tomlin isn’t tweaking his approach to Porter, but he did have some advice for the young cornerback. Tomlin noted that Porter’s technique at the line of scrimmage needs improvement, as subtle lapses can snowball into costly penalties downfield.

“In review of the tape, he could have been better from a technical standpoint,” Tomlin said. The focus remains on sharpening Porter’s fundamentals to avoid fouls without compromising his ability to challenge elite receivers.

Porter committed six penalties (two declined) for 57 yards — the most by an NFL cornerback since Week 3 of 2022 — in the Steelers’ Week 13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Tomlin also highlighted the competitive challenges of facing physical receivers like Bengals’ Tee Higgins and Seahawks’ DK Metcalf. “You have to match the physicality of these big people,” Tomlin said, acknowledging the inherent risk in such battles.

But Tomlin remains unapologetic about prioritizing competitiveness over passivity. “One thing we’re not going to do is turn it down and allow him to catch the ball.”

As the Steelers prepare for future matchups, Porter’s growth will hinge on walking the tightrope of staying physical while minimizing mistakes.

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Joe Burrow, Bengals gift formula to remaining Steelers opponents

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is a magnet for penalty flags and continues to frustrate by being overly handsy.

As a player, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. continues to amaze. Against the Cincinnati Bengals, Porter allowed a mere 22.2% completion rate from Joe Burrow — his best of the season and career second-best.

However, as a defender, Porter is a magnet for penalty flags and continues to frustrate by being overly handsy. He was called for four penalties against the Bengals — a total of nine on the season for 111 yards — including two in the end zone that set the ball at the 1-yard line.

While Mike Tomlin has downplayed concerns about Porter’s penalties, it’s becoming a noticeable pattern. If Porter doesn’t tighten up his technique, opposing quarterbacks will likely target him even more. Burrow and the Bengals gifted a formula to Jameis Winston, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes: Throw Porter’s way to draw a flag.

Porter is no stranger to being called for penalties, as it followed him from his days at Penn State. The Steelers knew that Porter was grabby when they took him at No. 32 overall in the 2023 NFL draft, and it was a weakness littered throughout scouting reports.

Constant flags overshadow Porter’s greatness. Hopefully as Porter grows as a player, he’ll learn he can still be great without being grabby.

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Mike Tomlin shifts blame away from Joey Porter Jr. regarding penalties

Mike Tomlin defended Joey Porter Jr.’s penalties in Week 13, crediting Tee Higgins’ physical play for the challenges Porter faced.

It’s safe to say that the majority of those watching the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 13 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals were more than disappointed with the number of penalties committed by the Black and Gold, particularly CB Joey Porter Jr., who was responsible for six of the Steelers’ sixteen penalties.

Well, almost everyone. HC Mike Tomlin seemingly gave Porter a pass for his struggles with penalties this week. Speaking on a multitude of Week 13 topics during the postgame press conference, Tomlin had this to say about Porter’s penalty issues: “Tee Higgins got a lot to do with that, man. Tee is a goon. He is. You can’t let him beat you up, while at the same time, the officials are going to call it the way they’re going to call it. Sometimes, man, I kind of absorb some of what comes with that. You cannot let a big dude you up. You got to match fire with fire.”

It’s clear that Tomlin appreciated the physicality Porter showed in Week 13, even if it gave the Cincinnati Bengals plenty of opportunities to score throughout the contest.

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Mike Tomlin has a ‘Joey Porter Jr.’ sized penalty problem

Joey Porter Jr.’s penalties overshadow his coverage skills in the Steelers’ Week 13 victory.

Joey Porter Jr. has delivered some great coverage performances thus far in 2024, but his issues with penalties continue to haunt the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first three quarters of Week 13’s matchup between the Steelers and Bengals, Porter committed several completely unnecessary penalties that put Cincinnati in prime scoring position.

With less than nine minutes to go in the fourth-quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 13 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, Porter added two more penalty-worthy plays to what has been a lackluster day from the young Steelers defender.

Porter not only held Higgins on the play but committed his second pass interference penalty in the end zone, practically gift-wrapping the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals offense a touchdown.

While Porter’s first pass interference in the end zone was technically uncatchable, it was still a poor decision by the Steelers CB.

Porter continues to rack up additional penalties, with his most recent being an illegal hands to the face with less than three minutes remaining in Week 13.

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