Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. remains sidelined by a back injury, but he said Thursday that his focus has shifted entirely to getting healthy and returning to Pittsburgh’s defense.
Porter has not appeared in a game this season after missing all of training camp while on the physically unable to perform list. He was limited in Thursday’s practice as he continues to manage the injury and rebuild his conditioning.
Quick facts
- Porter has yet to play for the Steelers this season.
- He missed training camp because of a persistent back issue.
- He was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.
- Porter said he expects to play this season, but gave no timetable.
- Pittsburgh, 1-1, hosts the unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals, 2-0, at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
The cornerback also addressed the contract situation that had followed his absence. Porter said the extension he wanted never came together and stressed that he did not seek a trade.
“It didn’t get done, it didn’t happen,” Porter said. “That’s really just old news for me now. It’s mainly just focus on what I’ve got ahead of me and just really getting back to 100%.”
His return will require more than a brief recovery window. Porter said his back can still flare up, while his time away from camp has left him working to regain the conditioning needed for regular NFL snaps.
“It’s both,” Porter said of the injury and his fitness level. “My back has its moments where it flares up here and there. We’re still just trying to get my conditioning down to me just being out there as much as possible. It’s really just both.”
Porter did not offer a target date for his debut, though he said he will “definitely” take the field at some point during the season. For now, Pittsburgh must continue without one of its top defensive backs as it prepares for an AFC North matchup.
He said the prolonged absence has not created tension inside the locker room. Porter said he remains close with his teammates and has tried to support both younger players and veterans while he works through his recovery.
“I love all my guys, and my guys love me too,” Porter said. “They’re here for me, and I’m there for them. I’m just trying to be a good motivator to all the young guys and even the O.G.’s in here.”
The Steelers will try to move above .500 when they welcome the Bengals to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Cincinnati enters the 1 p.m. ET kickoff at 2-0, while the Steelers are 1-1.
