The Pittsburgh Steelers reported to training camp in Latrobe on Tuesday, which means the NFL season is creeping even closer. All 32 teams across the league have now opened up camp, which means players are popping up on the Physically Unable To Perform List (PUP). The PUP list just means certain players can't quite practice yet as they recover from injuries, but they can be cleared to return to practice at any time. Donte Kent and Jalen Ramsey have already been announced to be on the PUP list.
Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. walks off the field after a playoff loss during the 2025 season.
In a shocking move, star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will be joining Kent and Ramsey on the PUP list. That is three defensive backs on the list, which means some other guys are going to be getting extended looks to begin training camp. Porter was probably not going to be practicing anyway as he awaits a much-deserved contract extension, but now he can't even work off to the side of practice on his own. This news was first reported by Chris Adamski.
Whoa.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) July 28, 2026
Joey Porter Jr to open Steelers camp on the PUP list
Neither Omar Khan nor Mike McCarthy have any indication this was coming, and team previously announced that Jalen Ramsey and Donte Kent will open camp on PUP
General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media earlier in the day on Tuesday, and they were each asked about the health of the team and the PUP list. Neither Khan nor McCarthy mentioned Porter being a candidate for the PUP list, and it is still unclear as to why he would appear on the list at all.
© Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. signs an autograph for a fan at training camp in Latrobe, PA ahead of the 2025.
The timing of this move is certainly suspicious. Neither Khan nor McCarthy mentioned moving Porter to the PUP list, but now he ends up there later in the day while awaiting a contract extension. The injury is reportedly some sort of back injury that he aggravated during the team's mobility workout on Tuesday morning, which beat writer Brooke Pryor reported later that day.
CB Joey Porter Jr.’s placement on PUP comes after he aggravated his back during the team’s mobility workout this morning, per source.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 28, 2026
Hopefully Porter speaks to the media at some point which may provide some clarity on the entire situation. The market for cornerbacks just went up, and Porter does not necessarily have any major career accolades. Despite that, he has proven to be a lockdown corner, and he should be paid near the top of the market. There might be differing views on that between his camp and those making the decisions within the organization.
Steelers Need Joey Porter Jr. On The Field
It might not be all that important to get Porter on the field immediately. It might even be good not to so younger guys like Daylen Everette can get some more reps. However, he needs to be on the field once the regular season rolls around. He has the ability to take certain wide receivers right out of the game, which is something a franchise cannot take for granted. He doesn't have a ton of ball production which has been a knock on him as his extension has been discussed in the media, but his impact shows week after week.
If he is still on the PUP list at the end of camp he will be forced to miss the first four games of the regular season, and that can't happen. The secondary being full is a key piece of this team having any sort of success in 2026. Thankfully the group is deep, but Porter is by far the best of the bunch.
What do you think about Porter showing up on the PUP list? Do you think this move could have anything to do with his contract negotiations? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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