Steelers Leave Door Open for Joey Porter Jr. to Start

The Pittsburgh Steelers discussed the outlook for Joey Porter Jr.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers gave Joey Porter Jr. his first taste of extended time this past weekend, and there's some belief that will continue moving forward. 

Porter has been a slow rise for the Steelers as a rookie, playing almost exclusively dime package up until the Baltimore game. But after a game-sealing interception against Lamar Jackson and Odell Beckham Jr., it may be time for his playing time to expand after the bye week. 

"This may be my first time saying this, but he really did everything well on that play," Brown said. "You go back and look at his footwork. Really, go back and look at him pre-snap. He showed a lot of confidence. That was a very weighty moment. You look at his mannerisms breaking the huddle, he had full confidence in his ability to make that play.

"His alignment was good. His footwork was good and what we’ve been trying to get to, and he capped off by catching the ball."

Brown wouldn't commit to Porter as a starter following the bye but left the door open for a possible change. 

"Whoever is playing well will start," Brown said. "That’s the goal. Joey finished the game in a good spot. We’ll see if he starts. It’s about, are you making the plays that need to be made? I’m not sure it matters who starts. It matters that when they are throwing the ball, who is out there and who is playing well."

The Steelers could begin to utilize a three-cornerback rotation on the outside with Porter, Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace. And with what the rookie has shown, it could be another weapon for Pittsburgh's defense to grow from. 

"We needed that play to be made," Brown said. "He needed that play to be made to show he’s doing the right things and going in the right direction."

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