Brooke PryorSep 11, 2026, 03:50 PM ET
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PITTSBURGH -- After another week of ramping up following his activation off the PUP list, Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Porter, who was sidelined with a back injury for the duration of training camp and was a limited participant in each day of practice this week, is in the final hours of the Steelers' negotiation window as the two sides try to hammer out an extension after a stalemate that has lasted throughout the offseason.

The Steelers' organizational policy is to not negotiate contracts during the regular season.

"I mean, at this point we got, what, 42 [hours]?" Porter said. "I don't know how many we got until game day, but clock's ticking, so it is what it is. At this point, we're going to be prepared. Regardless of the situation, we're going to want to play ball.

"I'm trying to be optimistic about anything and everything and all possible outcomes. ... I hope it could get done, hopefully before then, but if it happens, it happens."

If Porter either doesn't play or is unable to play, the next man up is Asante Samuel Jr., who is listed on the depth chart beside Porter with an "or" between the two. A former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021, Samuel joined the Steelers midway through last season after being cleared to return to football activities following spinal fusion surgery for a chronic neck issue.

Samuel was productive in six games and three starts last season, recording an interception and one pass defensed. With Porter sidelined at camp, Samuel got a lot of work with the first team defense and turned heads with pass breakups and interceptions.

A 2023 second-round draft pick, Porter has been a consistent starter in the secondary and has an interception in each of his three seasons.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon and New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who both were also drafted in 2023, have signed top-of-the-market extensions this offseason, with Gonzalez setting the bar with a $33.75 million average annual value in his four-year deal.

On Friday, Porter refuted reports that he wanted to become the highest-paid cornerback.

"I don't know where that came from," Porter said. "Whoever made that, I really don't pay too much hype into it."

Steelers' Porter, amid extension talks, questionable for opener

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