The Pittsburgh Steelers listed Joey Porter Jr. as a full participant for a second straight day on Tuesday, but how much he can play Thursday against the Cleveland Browns still depends on Wednesday’s faster practice. Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols remained limited, so the cornerback concern from Monday hasn’t gone away.
Pittsburgh repeated Monday's walk-through. The official Steelers injury report estimates Ramsey (wrist) and Echols (concussion) as limited, Porter (conditioning) as full, and Rico Dowdle (toe) as a nonparticipant. All four have the same listings they had Monday. Nobody has a game designation yet, and two estimated full days aren’t the same as two hard practices for Porter.
Player | Position | Injury | Mon.* | Tues.* | Wed. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jalen Ramsey | CB | Wrist | LP | LP | |
Rico Dowdle | RB | Toe | DNP | DNP | |
Joey Porter Jr. | CB | NIR/Conditioning | FP | FP | |
Brandin Ehcols | CB | Concussion | LP | LP |
*The Steelers held a walk-through on Monday and Tuesday; therefore, this report is an estimate of practice participation.
Mike McCarthy said Wednesday will be the first time the Steelers assess Porter at full practice speed this week. They’ll then decide how much to play him. I like seeing Porter move past the limited category after missing three games, but if he plays in Cleveland, I wouldn’t expect him to get a full workload Thursday based on two walk-throughs.
Pittsburgh Steelers have another corner if Joey Porter Jr. isn't ready for Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football
Rookie Daylen Everette played more against Cincinnati, and Still Curtain argued for more Everette snaps. He can’t replace everything the veterans do, but defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has already trusted him in a division game. That gives Pittsburgh a way to ease Porter back if he’s active.
Everette’s increased work also sparked questions about Asante Samuel Jr.’s role. Graham said Tuesday that Everette earned those opportunities through practice and wasn’t replacing someone for poor play. So let’s hold off on saying Samuel got benched. With Ramsey and Echols banged up, the Steelers may need both him and Everette on Thursday.
Ramsey’s wrist and Echols’ concussion could make that rotation thin in a hurry. Jamel Dean and Samuel have handled the outside jobs during Porter’s absence, while Ramsey gives Pittsburgh options elsewhere in the secondary. If Ramsey and Echols can’t play, Porter and Everette may have to take on more against Deshaun Watson.
Dowdle’s second estimated absence points toward Jaylen Warren leading the backfield again after his 127 rushing yards against Cincinnati. Wednesday’s final designations should clarify whether Dowdle can join Warren and Travis Homer for the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Porter’s work at full practice speed should offer a better read on his Thursday role than either estimated listing.
Add us as a preferred source on Google