The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed another cornerback named “Porter Jr.” with Black and Gold bloodlines. The team’s scouting department may be getting a jump start on watching one quarterback in particular.

Hines Ward is getting a coaching promotion. The Penguins are being tied to a Toronto winger.

Jaromir Jagr is now playing with the son of a former Penguin linemate. And Bailey Falter had a tough debut with Kansas City.

All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”

Welcome aboard

After three training camp injuries to cornerbacks over the past few days, the Steelers decided to sign former Buffalo Bills defensive back Daryl Porter Jr. That news was broken by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2-TV.

#Steelers sign former #Bills @CanesFootball defensive back Daryl Porter Jr., following a successful workout per a league source. Workout included former first-round pick C.J. Henderson @KPRC2

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 4, 2025

The former Miami Hurricane and West Virginia defensive back worked out alongside C.J. Henderson, who has been with the Jaguars, Panthers and Texans since he came into the NFL as a first-round pick in 2020.

Porter’s father, Daryl Porter Sr., was a safety who had two different stops in Pittsburgh during his six-year career, but he never played a game here. Like his son, Porter Sr. was also a Buffalo Bill (1998-00).

With a preseason game coming up Saturday in Jacksonville, the Steelers are thin at corner. Joey Porter Jr., Cory Trice and Donte Kent are all injured right now to one degree or another.

Plus, Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay won’t play much, if at all, in that contest.

Looking ahead

The Steelers may already be getting a read on the potential QB class in the 2026 NFL Draft. Brad Denny of 3TV/CBS 5 revealed that the Steelers were one of at least 10 teams on hand for Arizona State’s practice on Monday.

When you have a bunch of NFL prospects on your team… pic.twitter.com/gjrzjA67Sx

— Brad Denny (@BDenny29) August 4, 2025

One of the Sun Devils is quarterback Sam Leavitt. He’s a third-year sophomore who transferred from Michigan State after the 2023 season.

The 20-year-old threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns last year en route to a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff berth. He also ran for 435 yards — second-most among FBS quarterbacks.

Speaking of Arizona State, wide receivers coach Hines Ward has expanded his role on the team. Via the Arizona Republic, Ward has been elevated to associate head coach as well by head coach Kenny Dillingham.

One of Ward’s pupils is Jordyn Tyson. He is perceived as a potential first-round pick after putting up 1,101 yards and 10 scores on 75 catches in 2024.

More sports

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Family familiarity

At 53 years old, Jaromir Jagr hasn’t fully committed to playing for his Czech team, Kladno. The former Penguins star maintains a 20% ownership stake in the club. He put up 16 points in 39 games last year.

If he plays, this will be Jagr’s 38th consecutive pro season. He left the NHL with 1,921 points, second all-time on the NHL career scoring list behind Wayne Gretzky.

As mined at DETHockeyNow.com, Jagr is skating in Kladno’s summer camp. On his wing is Kevin Klima. He is the 28-year-old son of Petr Klima, a linemate of Jagr’s with Pittsburgh for a short time in the 1996-97 season.

Jaromír Jágr se společně s Kladnem připravuje na svou 38. profesionální sezonu v kariéře.???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/qCiF9KE3E8

— Deník Sport (@DenikSport) July 28, 2025

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“Playing with Jágr on the line was a good experience,” Klima told the Czech website iSport. “I didn’t expect him to play for this long.”

On an unrelated note, Elliotte Friedman hinted during his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast that Toronto’s Nick Robertson might be a trade target for the Penguins. He’s a 23-year-old winger who just avoided arbitration on a $1.8 million price tag after a 15-goal, 22-point season with the Maple Leafs. 

Bailey faltered

David Bednar wasn’t the only former Pirate who had a rough debut on the mound for his new team. Bailey Falter got blitzed in Fenway Park during his first start with Kansas City.

The Red Sox knocked around Falter to the tune of seven earned runs over four innings. He only struck out two, while walking two and allowing eight hits. Boston scored five times in the first inning to key an 8-5 win.

Jarren Duran provided the big blow with a three-run homer to center field in the first.

Jarren Duran out in a hurry

The @RedSox have put up a 5-spot in the 1st inning! pic.twitter.com/5klCGyc65L

— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2025

Boston has now won six in a row. They are three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East.

With three injured pitchers on the K.C. roster, Falter was dealt there in exchange for Evan Sisk and Callan Moss.

As for Bednar, he pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning for New York on Monday, but the Yankees still lost 8-5 to the Rangers in 10 innings. Meanwhile, former Bucs third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes was 1 for 3 for the Reds as they won 3-2 over the Chicago Cubs.

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