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Embroiled in a contract dispute all offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have their top cornerback suit up for their Week 1 matchup in Joey Porter Jr.
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The Steelers have listed the cornerback as inactive for Week 1 because of a back injury. NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter both reported that Porter, who wants a new contract, could be traded during the season.
#Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.’s future in Pittsburgh is murky, with an in-season trade possible.
Full story with @AdamSchefter: https://t.co/gqNQsTAmXphttps://t.co/gqNQsTAmXp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 13, 2026
Both the Steelers and Porter have been trying to negotiate a new contract this offseason, but the two sides never reached an agreement. And with the Steelers not known to negotiate with their players during the regular season, Porter’s tenure in Pittsburgh could be coming to an end.
Rapoport reports that the Steelers have been open to offers for the former second-round pick and have expressed interest in moving him, but interest has been limited because of their high asking price. Now, with Porter’s back injury, the Steelers are left uncertain about what they may do after Week 1.
The 26-year-old met with reporters on Friday and was asked about whether his contract dispute with Pittsburgh is affecting him.
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“No, I don’t think so,” Porter said. “I mean, at the end of the day it’s business, and I know what that is and I got my head straight to understand that.”
With Porter not slated to play the season opener, Asante Samuel Jr. will likely take his place on the roster. The Steelers signed Samuel to their practice squad midway through last season, but he is coming off spinal fusion surgery for a chronic neck issue. Samuel, who is also a former second-round pick, has played a total of just 10 games in the past two seasons combined. If healthy, he could be a solid replacement for Porter given he had six interceptions in his first three seasons. But his health is certainly a question mark.
The Steelers open their season by hosting the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. ET in the first game of the Mike McCarthy era.
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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 9:29 AM.