Steelers Injury Updates: Two Return; Porter Nearing 100%

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Two Pittsburgh Steelers players returned to practice from injury in a limited fashion and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was nearly a full participant as the team completed its 15th practice of training camp at St. Vincent College on Wednesday.

Porter has been working his way back from an ankle injury that held him out of the team’s first preseason game of 2023 on Friday. In his second consecutive practice session of the week on Wednesday, Porter did nearly everything, working as the second-team left cornerback in full tackling team drills, the first time he had achieved that level of participation since the injury. Porter was held out of a one-on-one receivers vs. defensive backs drills, so he was not yet a full participant, but he seems very close to being fully back to health.

Two other players started moving toward that goal, as well, with both safety Tre Norwood and inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski dressing in pads for the first time since their injuries. Norwood has been battling a right calf injury since Aug. 6. Kwiatkoski suffered a shoulder injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday and said before practice on Wednesday that he’s nearly ready to get back to work. Both Norwood and Kwiatkoski performed only individual portions of Wednesday’s practice.

For the second straight day, that was also the case for defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, who is working his way back from an ankle injury suffered against the Bucs.

Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi still has a walking boot on his right foot/ankle, though head coach Mike Tomlin said he is nearing a return. Isaiahh Loudermilk played with the first-team defense in place of Ogunjobi.

Guard Nate Herbig missed his second straight practice with a shoulder injury, but had a jersey on and did some work in walk-throughs. Bill Dunkle replaced Herbig as second team right guard.

The Steelers will have their final practice of the week and of training camp on Thursday at St. Vincent College at 1:55 p.m., after which head coach Mike Tomlin will address the media in advance of Saturday’s Week 2 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

STEELERS INJURY REPORT