Steelers Starting Corner, Wide Receiver Miss Practice on Monday

It's beginning to look like the Steelers will be without one of their offensive playmakers and starting corners against the Chiefs.

Pittsburgh Steelers DB Joey Porter
Pittsburgh Steelers DB Joey Porter at practice on Sept. 13, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH — Two Pittsburgh Steelers missed the first official practice of the week due to injury, putting their status for Wednesday’s Week 17 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in serious doubt.

Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee, PCL sprain) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) did not practice on Monday after being projected as DNPs on Sunday.

Porter and Skowronek’s absences from practice weren’t a total surprise after head coach Mike Tomlin hinted the two are long shots to suit up against the Chiefs.

“The two guys that didn’t finish yesterday’s game, Joey Porter with a knee and Ben Skowronek with a hip, they’re availability remains questionable,” Tomlin said. “Anybody that didn’t make it out of their stadium yesterday on a four day turnaround probably have a difficult time showing for this one.”

Porter left Saturday’s 34-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens with what was first believed to be a calf injury but later diagnosed as a knee injury. Shortly after, PennLive.com reported that the Steelers fear that Porter may have suffered a PCL sprain, which would likely cause him to miss more than just this week’s game against Kansas City.

Skowronek also left the game with a hip injury after reeling in two catches for 25 yards early on. He did not return, either.

Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek
pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronekc catching a pass during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 17, 2024. — Ed Thompson

In addition to the Steelers two absences, quarterback Justin Fields was limited as he recovers from an abdominal injury that he suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT

PlayerInjuryDate PrognosisSunMonTueGame
LB Tyler MatakevichKneeDec. 21TBDDNPFP
WR Ben SkowronekHipDec. 21TBDDNPDNPDBT
CB Joey Porter Jr.Right knee, PCL sprainDec. 21TBDDNPDNPDBT
QB Justin FieldsAbdomenDec. 15Day to dayDNPLPQST
SS DeShon ElliottHamstringDec. 8Day to dayLPFPQST
CB Donte JacksonBack/pinched nerveDec. 8Day to dayLPFPQST
DT Larry OgunjobiGroinDec. 8Day to dayLPFPQST
WR George PickensHamstringDec. 6Day to dayLPFPQST

STEELERS INJURED RESERVE

PlayerInjuryDate PrognosisRoster Status
OT Calvin AndersonGroinDec. 13Three weeksInjured reserve
CB Zyon GilbertKneeNov. 16TBDPractice squad IR
CB C.J. HendersonNeckNov. 14Week to weekInjured reserve
CB Anthony AverettTBDOct. 17TBDPractice squad IR
WR Roman WilsonHamstringOct. 17Week to weekInjured reserve
DE DeMarvin LealNeck/stingerOct. 6Out for seasonInjured reserve
RG James DanielsAchillesSept. 29Out for seasonInjured reserve
RT Troy FautanuR knee dislocationSept. 20Regular seasonInjured reserve
P Cameron JohnstonRight kneeSept. 8Out for seasonInjured reserve
SS Ryan WattsNeck/stingerAug. 24Out for seasonInjured reserve
DL Logan LeeCalfAug. 20Week to weekInjured reserve
C Nate HerbigTorn rotator cuffAug. 14Out for seasonInjured reserve
ILB Cole HolcombLeft knee surgeryNov. 2, 2023Week to weekPUP/reserve
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