Steelers Gameday Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. Leaves Game with Injury
BALTIMORE — Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. suffered a right calf injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Porter was down on the field for a while before walking off the field with assistance from the team’s medical staff.
The Steelers are already thin in the secondary with cornerback Donte Jackson (back) and safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) sidelined for Saturday’s game.
With veteran Jackson inactive, James Pierre received first-team reps. Pierre received starting reps over second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr., who has been a healthy scratch since returning from injured reserve on Dec. 5. Trice replaced Porter once he exited the game.
Porter returned in the second half before being ruled out for the rest of the game.
Jackson suffered a back injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles and did not return. Pierre replaced Jackson, and gave up a 2-yard touchdown pass to DaVonta Smith to enhance the Eagles’ lead to 17-3.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed on Monday that he was more than confident in those behind Jackson.
“We’ve got a lot of capable players in that space that we’ve been really comfortable with, and we’ve been blessed with some depth there,” Tomlin said. “So if people are unavailable, I am completely comfortable with those that get an opportunity to play.
“Whether it’s James Pierre, whether it’s Cory Trice, when called upon, both guys have delivered and delivered to a satisfactory level. I’m confident in terms of how they practice and approach their business. So I don’t know that that’s a big issue for us.”
The Steelers are a banged-up unit right now, and Porter leaving the game doesn’t help matters. Along with Jackson and Elliott, wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring), quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) were ruled out.
The Steelers got gashed by the Eagles in last Sunday’s 27-13 loss, surrendering 401 yards offense. Jalen Hurts tossed three touchdowns and wide receivers A.J. Brown and DaVonta Smith both had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown.
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