Porter Jr. Limited Ahead of Falcons

Joey Porter Jr. was limited again Thursday with a back injury as the Steelers wait on Friday's final Week 1 report before Sunday's opener against the Falcons. Pittsburgh's injury sheet listed only the star corner as limited for a second straight day, the same line as Wednesday, while everyone else practiced in full.

That is a fresh Friday status check after the earlier extension uncertainty that hung over Porter's September. Coach Mike McCarthy called it a ramp-up after Porter's PUP stretch and would not declare a snap plan for Atlanta. The final report lands Friday and can stamp him questionable, active, or out.

Ramp-up, not a clean bill

McCarthy told reporters the plan was still "working through the ramp-up stage" based on Wednesday's work. He refused to set a Friday benchmark for Sunday clearance and said he would not tip the competition plan. Mike Prisuta noted Porter was more active in Thursday's media window, including tackling and takeaway drills, which is progress from the prior day but not a full clearance.

Porter has dealt with the back since a late-July camp mobility test and missed live summer reps while on PUP. Going from limited practice to every-snap Week 1 coverage is a different ask than simply dressing. Insider chatter around Pittsburgh has already floated a rotation even if he is active, because the ramp may not cover 60 to 70 snaps.

Samuel ready if Porter sits

If Porter cannot go, Asante Samuel Jr. is the next man up opposite Jamel Dean. Samuel started 47 games for the Chargers from 2021 to 2024 and started three for Pittsburgh last year, so the Steelers are not inventing a Plan B on Sunday morning. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET at home against Atlanta.

For fantasy and DFS boards, treat Porter as a game-time question until Friday's sheet drops. The rest of Pittsburgh's skill and line groups look healthy after camp bumps for Michael Pittman Jr., DK Metcalf, and others cleared the board. Porter's back is the only real Week 1 fog on the Steelers side.

The Falcons arrive with their own Week 1 noise after Tua Tagovailoa was limited with a back issue on the Atlanta sheet, so both sides are still sorting availability into Friday. Pittsburgh already has DeShon Elliott and Jack Driscoll on IR and Donte Kent on Reserve/PUP, which makes Porter's status the last live variable in a secondary that otherwise looks set.

Steelers fans wanted a clean opener declaration. Instead they get another limited day, a Friday stamp, and a secondary that can still win with Samuel if the ramp stops short. Watch the final report, then watch the snap count if his number is called.