Mike Tomlin acknowledges Joey Porter Jr. has earned Steelers starting CB spot

Chris Adamski
Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 2:52 p.m. | Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 2:52 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is in coverage for a catch by the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley during Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium. Porter made his first career start in the game, and on Monday he was acknowledged as the Steelers’ starter going forward at left outside cornerback.

Joey Porter Jr. made his first NFL start Sunday. His coach on Monday tacitly acknowledged there will be many more to come.

Early during his weekly news conference, coach Mike Tomlin was asked that, regardless of the health status of erstwhile veteran starting outside cornerback Levi Wallace, if Porter has done enough to be a starter going forward.

“He has,” Tomin said.

Porter, the No. 32 overall draft pick out of Penn State, spent most of the first four games of the season as the No. 6 defensive back used only when the Steelers deployed a dime package. But over games against the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams, Porter gradually began to be deployed in lieu of Wallace in the base and nickel defenses.

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With Wallace unable to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars because of a foot injury, Porter started at left outside cornerback and played 59 of the Steelers’ 71 defensive snaps. Only veteran Patrick Peterson played more among Steelers cornerbacks.

According to Pro Football Focus, 50 of Porter’s snaps were at outside corner (49 on the left side of the defense) with five others in the box and four in the slot. During 36 snaps in which he was in coverage, Porter allowed two catches for 20 yards. The man he was responsible on any given snap for was targeted four times.

After Sunday’s game, though, Porter took the blame for the 56-yard touchdown reception by Travis Etienne, citing miscommunication.

For the season among the 126 NFL cornerbacks who have played the most snaps, Porter ranks seventh in PFF’s subjective grades for the position.

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.