Do Steelers expect Joey Porter, Junior to play Sunday

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – ‘Yeah, I hope so.’

That is what Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said when asked if corner Joey Porter, Junior will play Sunday when the season starts against the Falcons.

The fourth-year corner is seeking a new contract entering his final season and missed all of training camp with a tweaked back, and likely a bit due to his contract. Porter, Junior has returned to practice once the team ended preseason games, which started last week.

McCarthy said Porter is in a ‘ramp up’ situation like any other player would be coming back from injury.

“We are game-planning for Atlanta expecting everyone to play,” McCarthy said, being purposely vague.

McCarthy said they have a board in the Steelers offices with all of the healthy names with projections of who the 48 active players will be. McCarthy wouldn’t confirm Porter’s name is on it.

Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham deferred playing decisions to McCarthy, but apparently enjoys his company.

“My interactions with Joey, whether it’s before he came off the PUP or now, it’s been great,” Graham said. “I call on him in the classroom. I’ve been calling on him in the classroom, just getting that interaction from him. Anytime you see someone with his skillset out there on the field, I promise you as a coach, I’m going to be excited. It’s been a pleasure to be around him.”

What exactly will happen is unknown, but it appears Porter, Junior is working to playing week one. An official decision may not come until 90 minutes before kickoff or if he were to sign a contract extension.