PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Talking publicly for the first time in a couple of weeks, Steelers corner Joey Porter, Junior discussed his emotions, readiness and going through a full practice for the first time on Thursday as he attempts to play Sunday against the Bengals.
There was something he said all can likely agree on.
“It’s been months,” Porter, Junior said. “I know you guys are tired of it, I am too.”
Porter, Junior said he’s gone through all of the emotions of not getting a contract extension admitting it’s been frustrating, that he always wanted to be out there with his teammates.
During the nearly five-minute question-and-answer session with Porter, Junior you would hear his teammates from behind the Pittsburgh reporters saying they loved him and he’s ‘CB-1’ and ‘King of the North’
“I love all my guys and my guys love me too,” Porter, Junior said as on cue a teammate said ‘I love you Joey’. “They are here for me and I’m there for them.”
He could be there for them on Sunday.
“We still got two more days to practice,” Porter, Junior said. “I just know I did everything today, it went smooth, going to keep working.”
Porter, Junior said he ‘probably’ would have to be on a snap count, at least to start. The fourth-year corner also said he and the coaches ‘have a clear understanding’ of what his role would be.
Missing all of preseason and most of the offseason and the first couple of weeks, if he played, he’s stepping in against maybe the best receiver duo in the NFL with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with Joe Burrow healthy at quarterback.
“It’s always a good matchup with the Bengals and what they got over there, their talent,” Porter, Junior said. “I always want to sharpen iron on iron, definitely getting out there with those guys is a good matchup.”
Porter, Junior has played Cincinnati six times (4-2 record) with a career-best six pass breakups and second-best 23 tackles. He said he’s ‘never really struggled against them’.
The 26-year-old tried to stop any talk he wouldn’t play, twice saying when healthy he will be on the field. He also denied ever wanting to get a second opinion on his back or that he has ever asked to be traded.
He said the back injury is real, it flares up at times, but seems like he’s as close as he’s been to playing.
It’s been months as Porter, Junior said, with many twists to this story, but Porter, Junior did say firmly after practice Thursday.
“Whenever they need me, I’ll be ready.”
At 1-1 facing the Bengals, that time could be Sunday.
Steelers corner clears the air on a few issues as he talks about his situation
Steelers corner clears the air on a few issues as he talks about his situation
