Steelers Rookie Joey Porter Jr. Finally Expected To Be "Taking That Job Over" In Week 7

Steeler Nation has been begging to see the Pittsburgh Steelers give their rookies more playing time all season long. They got their wish in Week 5 when Broderick Jones got the start at left tackle after Dan Moore Jr. got injured in Week 4. They also saw Joey Porter Jr. finally get some meaningful reps at cornerback in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, which led to a clutch interception to help win the game. On The Pat McAfee Show, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly came on and discussed the near future for the Penn State product.

Steelers Rookie Earning Playing Time

Kaboly was asked about the odds of Porter getting more playing time after his standout effort in Week 5. There was similar speculation last week about Porter obtaining a starting role in Week 4 before Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin shot those claims down. Even more speculation has surfaced this past week from the coaching staff as far as Porter's inability to tackle effectively, and that being the reason he hasn't yet seen more playing time. After another impressive showing in Week 5 from the rookie however, things may be changing. 

"[Porter] got put into the starting lineup in the second half against the Ravens, pretty much the only base defense he's played all year. You can anticipate him finally taking that job over; it's a question of who he takes it from. I'm guessing, right now, Pat Peterson will be moved inside to be some sort of a rover, some sort of a nickel/slot type of back right now. I think moving forward, they've always had that thought of Peterson playing multiple positions, but they didn't have that outside corner they felt comfortable with, and Porter got hurt early in camp, set him back a little bit, but I think moving forward, he's pretty much good to be out there."

That is the news that everyone has been waiting to hear since training camp. Patrick Peterson was supposed to take that Cameron Sutton-like role of playing whatever defensive back position that he was needed at for each play, and it's great to see him finally getting moved to that role as opposed to full-time outside cornerback. 

Even Pro Football Focus has been giving Porter props all year long, despite barely having any playing time before Week 5. It was great to see Porter getting meaningful reps on the outside, and it seems like now he has that starting role, he's not going to lose it barring a horrible stretch of games in the near future. 

In his young career so far, Porter has amassed 1 interception, 2 pass deflections, and 6 total tackles in just 5 games off 86 total snap counts (22 on special teams). He's been targeted 6 times with only 2 completions. The sky is the limit for Porter and we'll see exactly just how much this defense can improve with him taking on a larger role after the bye week.

What do you think about Mark Kaboly's takes on the Steelers' rookies finally getting their shot? Do you think they deserve it? Let us know down in the comments.

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