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Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. Has DK Metcalf Matchup Circled

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been looking forward to playing DK Metcalf all season long.

Stephen Thompson

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PITTSBURGH -- Most of the time, when the media or fans try to hype up a one-on-one matchup between two players, the players will downplay it and focus on the team. But Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr. couldn't help himself as they prepare to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. 

Porter has evolved into the Steelers' bonafide No. 1 cornerback in the second half of this season and the coaching staff has trusted him to shadow the opposition's top wideouts. This week, that means his job is to shut down hulking Seahawks star DK Metcalf. 

“Like every matchup, I’m ready for it, I’ve been looking forward to it," Porter said. "This is a big one, everyone’s been talking about it and I’m not going to lie, I’ve had this one circled up on my calendar so I’m ready to go to work.”

Porter is listening to the hype that family, friends and the media have created for this challenge and is excited to test himself against one of the best receivers in pro football. 

And while Porter, still in his first season, has a long way to go before his pedigree matches Metcalf's, the two play with matching styles - a physical, hands-on approach is all these two know. 

“He puts it on tape. He’s an aggressive guy, likes to get physical," Porter said. "He puts hands on dudes. I’ve known that and I’m just excited for that. I’ve been looking for that. So I’m ready for that matchup.”

And this isn't a meeting that snuck up on Porter. He's been eying a date with Metcalf, who's accounted for 900 or more receiving yards and six or more receiving touchdowns in each of his four seasons in the NFL, for a while. 

Exactly how long has Porter been waiting to line up against one of the best in the game?

“When I first seen it on the schedule,” he said.

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general. 

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