Joey Porter Jr. Ready to Help Steelers’ Defense After Injury Setback
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently held a round of media availability prior to their Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns. When Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin came forward to answer questions, he gave an encouraging update regarding one of the Steelers' top players in the defensive backfield.
This update is one that will surely excite Steelers fans after watching some of the previous displays on defense in recent weeks, particularly in the closing minutes of their matchup against the
Joey Porter Jr. has been a standout lockdown defender for the Steelers ever since he was drafted at the top of the second round in 2023. He wasn't able to finish the Week 1 contest against the
Prior to the game against the Vikings in Ireland, it was reported that safety DeShon Elliott was potentially going to play in that particular game as well. Unfortunately, Porter Jr. did not start that game, while Elliott did, recording an interception, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble. Elliott's contributions in the win would prove invaluable to the team, however, Porter Jr. being absent from the lineup was definitely noticeable during particular moments in this game. Thankfully, news received this week should hopefully begin to turn things around.
Steelers' Defense Looking To Continue Growing In Week 6
This piece of news on Porter is rather encouraging, as Austin seems to imply that the young veteran defensive back will more likely see extended playing time against the Browns than not. His return gives a boost to a secondary that could certainly use the help on that side of the ball, especially when containing top receivers in the league or covering the lanes in which opposing running backs might use to get around the interior defensive line for big gains.
Porter Jr. being slowly eased back into the rotation is also much more beneficial than throwing him back onto the field with a full workload, especially considering how he is still recovering from the hamstring injury. Giving Porter Jr. a full workload could lead to a reaggravation of the injury, causing him to miss even more time, or in the worst case scenario, it could result in an even worse injury that could potentially derail Porter Jr.'s entire season -- something that the Steelers' defense can't afford to have right now.
The ultimate goal of the Steelers at this point should be to remain as healthy as possible, especially as the rest of the AFC North is dealing with critical injuries to star players.
Browns Urged to Make Stunning Move Involving Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns will have decisions to make at quarterback.
Dillon Gabriel is the starting quarterback, but after the team traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, the team needed a new backup. Shedeur Sanders is the only other quarterback on the roster, but Bailey Zappe could be signed to the practice squad.
If Zappe does become the backup quarterback, Browns insider Jason Lloyd urges Cleveland to simply release Sanders.
“But if Bailey Zappe — Bailey Zappe! — is more trustworthy to a team that has spent 25 years searching for competent quarterback play, then what are we really doing here?,” Lloyd wrote. “Cut Sanders, just as the Philadelphia Eagles did with sixth-round quarterback Kyle McCord and countless other teams do every year with countless other late-round rookie quarterbacks, and end this silly madness.
“McCord returned to Philadelphia on the practice squad,” Lloyd added. “The Browns are protecting Sanders on their 53-man roster so another team can’t pluck him off their practice squad, yet they’re about to promote Zappe from the practice squad ahead of him. When else has that ever happened?”
Lloyd believes Sanders has caused a ton of unnecessary media attention to the team, which is why he believes the team needs to make a move.
“Cut him. Trade him. Whatever. Let him become someone else’s daily topic of conversation. At 1-4, the Browns have enough problems. Clearly, he isn’t viewed as one of the solutions,” Lloyd added.
Sanders ‘Thankful’ For Whatever Role He Has
Sanders has been the Browns’ third-string quarterback and has been running scout team practice.
The rookie quarterback has been inactive all season, but despite that, Sanders said he’s thankful for the role he has with the team.
“I’m in a great mental space overall,” Sanders said. “So I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure. … Whatever my role is here, I’m thankful. I’m happy just to do that.”
If Sanders is named the backup quarterback, he said the goal is to make sure Gabriel is ready Sunday.
“We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon’s ready for the game,” Sanders said. “Whatever that means. Each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, preparing the right way and be ready to know that you could get out there at any point in time. I’m overly confident within myself. I know when I first got here, I’m ready to play, but it’s up to the coaches and whatever decision they make then, I’m fine with.”
The Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road on Sunday.
Browns Coach Hasn’t Named Sanders The Backup
Despite Sanders being the only other quarterback on the roster, he hasn’t been named the backup.
Cleveland could promote Zappe to be the backup, so Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he is still mulling over the backup quarterback job.
“Still working through all roster types of things,” Stefanski said on Oct. 8. “I always have to be mindful of our players, and our players development and I want to make sure that I’m always doing what’s best for our players and, of course, our team.
“But with young players, I’m always thinking about last week, making the change to Dillon (Gabriel),” Stefanki added. “You have to think long and hard about that, because these are young players that you’re so invested in their development. So, I’ll let the week play out and make a decision later on.”
Regardless of who the backup is, Gabriel will be making his second career NFL start on Sunday.
