Joey Porter Jr. returned to practice Tuesday after recovering from a back injury, but his availability for the start of the 2026 season remains uncertain.
The cornerback was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Sunday and returned to the field on Sept. 1. However, when asked whether he would play on Sept. 13 against the Atlanta Falcons if he does not sign a contract extension, Porter said he still needs to speak with the Steelers' front office and his agents. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Joey Porter Jr. does not guarantee he will play Week 1
Porter's response adds another layer to a contract negotiation that has remained unresolved for months. The cornerback is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Steelers have acknowledged that the two sides have reached an impasse.
Porter was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and is scheduled to receive $3.9 million in base salary in 2026. Unlike several of his fellow 2023 draft picks, he has yet to receive a long-term extension. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
The situation became even more significant when Porter returned to practice. He initially said he did not know whether he would play without an extension, then appeared to soften the statement by saying he could play, while adding "maybe."
His back injury also matters
The contract is not the only issue Pittsburgh must address. Porter has been sidelined since the beginning of training camp because of a back injury and only began his return process this week.
Porter said his back is feeling better, although he does not consider himself 100 percent yet. Head coach Mike McCarthy described his return as a ramp-up period, meaning his physical condition will also determine whether he can face Atlanta. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
That means even if the two sides were to reach an agreement quickly, Pittsburgh would still need to evaluate Porter's health before clearing him for an official game.
Why is Joey Porter Jr. so important to Pittsburgh?
Porter has become an important piece of the Steelers' secondary. Through his first three professional seasons, he has played in 47 games with 41 starts, recording 164 tackles, 31 passes defensed and three interceptions. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
In 2025, he started all 14 games he played and finished the season with 52 tackles, one interception and 14 passes defensed, which led the Steelers.
His return also comes at an important time for Pittsburgh's secondary. The Steelers have been working to bring several defensive backs together after injuries limited the continuity of the group during the preseason.
The Steelers want to keep Porter
Pittsburgh's front office has not indicated that it wants to move on from the cornerback. General manager Omar Khan has said the team values Porter and hopes he can finish his career with the Steelers. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Porter, meanwhile, said he is not bitter that other members of his draft class received extensions before him. He said he was happy for his teammates and acknowledged that contracts are part of the NFL business.
The problem is that time is becoming an issue for both sides. Khan has indicated that the Steelers will not continue extension negotiations once the season begins, making the start of the regular season an important deadline.
What could happen with Joey Porter Jr.?
Several scenarios remain possible. Pittsburgh could reach an agreement before the opener, Porter could play under his current contract, or he could decide not to participate if the negotiations do not produce an extension.
There is also another variable: his back. After missing much of training camp, the coaching staff must determine how much work he can handle before exposing him to a regular-season game.
For now, the only certainty is that Porter has returned to practice and that his immediate future remains unresolved. The Steelers need clarity on both the contract and his health before their Sept. 13 trip to Atlanta.
Joey Porter Jr. is back on the practice field, but there is still no guarantee he will play in Week 1. His contract negotiations and recovery from the back injury make his status one of the key issues Pittsburgh must resolve before the 2026 season begins. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}