The Pittsburgh Steelers lost starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in the third quarter in Week 1 against the New York Jets. Porter exited the game after aggravating a hamstring that then kept him out of practice throughout the week. His absence was immediately felt in the secondary, as the Steelers struggled to contain the Jets’ passing attack, highlighting just how vital Porter has become to Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6118-544x306.jpg "Steelers Joey Porter Jr.")
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Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (#24) stands on the field at St. Vincent College during 2023 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
On Friday, it was officially revealed that Porter would be unavailable for Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. This announcement gives Pittsburgh a limited window to make adjustments but also raises concerns about the long-term impact of the injury. With Porter sidelined, the Steelers will rely on younger players and their depth chart to maintain stability in the secondary, while hoping that their star cornerback can recover quickly enough to return to the field in the coming weeks.
The Steelers will now be heading into their home opener without Porter, leaving a significant hole in the defensive backfield. The team’s coaching staff will need to adjust coverage schemes and rotations to compensate for the loss. Backup cornerbacks will be called upon to step into larger roles, testing the depth of the roster early in the season and placing added pressure on the front seven to generate turnovers and limit explosive plays.
"It comes as no surprise that safety DeShon Elliott and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon have both been ruled out, as Coach Mike Tomlin indicated that would be the case earlier this week," Teresa Varley said via Steelers.com. "In addition, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has also been ruled out. Porter suffered a hamstring injury against the Jets and didn't practice all week."
It’s far from ideal for the Steelers’ Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, to be without Porter so early in the season. The good news is that Pittsburgh made big moves this offseason to shore up the cornerback position. The Steelers have Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey ready for Week 2, but now it will be interesting to see who steps in to fill Porter’s role.
Steelers Have Options At Corner
There are a lot of ways the Steelers can handle this with the depth they have at cornerback. It looks likely that Ramsey will play on the outside alongside Slay, while Brandin Echols could slide into the slot. The team also has flexibility thanks to the arrival of Jabrill Peppers, who gives Pittsburgh additional options in the secondary.
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Steelers' Jalen Ramsey makes a bone crushing hit on Jets' Garrett Wilson to help win Week 1 against New York.
With these pieces in place, the Steelers’ defense has the talent to absorb Porter’s absence, but much will depend on how quickly the backups can adjust to increased responsibilities. The Week 2 matchup against the Seahawks will provide an early test of this depth and could set the tone for how the secondary handles adversity this season.
On a scale of 1-10, how worried are you about the Steelers being without Joey Porter Jr. in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.
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