The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to see either cornerback Joey Porter Jr. or Jalen Ramsey during training camp or the preseason this summer. The team placed the two defensive backs on the PUP list at the end of July.
Naturally, that could be a cause for alarm. But it’s not with Steelers first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
He made that clear when asked by a reporter Wednesday whether either cornerback’s lingering absence is concerning.
“I wouldn’t say concern. I just think it’s being in tune with their progress. They’re both making progress,” McCarthy said. “I get the injury report and then, with that, we have a GPS report on those guys. Their training is evaluated just like everybody else’s training out here today. So, they’re both making progress.
“When it comes to injuries or when it comes to things where guys aren’t on the field, you trust the plan that’s in place for them. They’re both making progress in those plans.”
The Steelers placed both Porter and Ramsey on the PUP list on July 28. At the time, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported Porter aggravated his back during the team’s mobility workout the same day.
Ramsey is dealing with a back injury. The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported on July 28 the former All-Pro would likely be out “a couple weeks.”
Mike McCarthy Updates Status of Injured CBs Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr.
McCarthy’s injury update on Ramsey and Porter was a little bit of word salad. The head coach clearly isn’t concerned but didn’t provide a clear timetable on when they might return.
Instead, he fell back on the “making progress” generic term.
The good news is neither cornerback has suffered a setback in their injury recoveries. The ailments also continue to not sound super serious. That means Steelers Nation can probably expect both players to dress for Week 1 of the regular season.
Ramsey is entering his second season with the Steelers. Last year, he made the Pro Bowl with 88 combined tackles, including four for loss. Ramsey also had eight pass defenses, three sacks and one interception.
Porter is entering a crucial campaign for the Steelers. While the team has signed many of his draft classmates — Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington and Keeanu Benton — to contract extensions, Porter still needs a new deal.
The cornerback is set to be a free agent in March.
Porter has started 41 games over three seasons for Pittsburgh. Last season, he had 52 combined tackles, 14 pass defenses, one interception and one sack.
Joey Porter Also Facing Tricky Contract Situation
Speaking of his contract situation, in a perfect world, that will be resolved before the start of the regular season. So essentially, while Porter is recovering from his back ailment, he and his representation are likely negotiating a new deal with the team.
Fans on social media have speculated that Porter isn’t practicing because of his contract. But no reporter or insider has made that suggestion.
Porter, though, is getting encouragement from former Steelers players, some of whom he has close relationships with because of his father, to sit out regular season games until a deal gets done.
“Right now, if I’m him, it ain’t no way on God’s green earth you’re gonna get me to practice one snap, let alone play in a game, before you give me a long-term contract,” said James Harrison on his podcast Tuesday, via Steelers Depot’s Troy Montgomery.
His co-host, Joe Haden, responded negatively to Porter not having a new deal yet as well.
“I’m feeling undervalued. I’m not feeling appreciated,” Haden said of Porter’s situation seeing his draft classmates get new deals first, via Steelers Wire’s LeeAnn Lowman. “Nick Herbig wasn’t starting, and he’s making $25 million a year. You’re ballin’, you’ve been doing your part.
“These contracts he’s signing now aren’t for what you’re about to do, they’re for what you already did.”
The Steelers have famously resolved (T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward to name two) a lot of contracts as late as the week prior to the regular season. Perhaps the same occurs with Porter this year.
Steelers’ Mike McCarthy Responds to Injury ‘Concern’ With Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey