Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey works out during training camp at Saint Vincent College, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Latrobe.
Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey works out during training camp at Saint Vincent College, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Latrobe.
It is more than likely the Steelers will go into the regular season without Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey not taking so much as a snap in training camp.
Which means the Steelers could begin the regular season without two of the most important players in their secondary.
Both Porter (back) and Ramsey (knee) began training camp on the physically unable to perform list and remain there with their respective injuries. It is not known when they will return and will not play in the preseason finale Thursday in Buffalo.
The Steelers continue to have some discussion with Porter’s agent about a new contract, but there has not been significant movement that would suggest a deal is imminent.
[Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers watches as Will Howard and Mason Rudolph warm up before a preseason game against the Jets at Acrisure Stadium, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers watches as Will Howard and Mason Rudolph warm up before a preseason game against the Jets at Acrisure Stadium, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Pittsburgh.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/columns/2026/08/22/nfl-steelers-quarterbacks-aaron-rodgers-mason-rudolph-will-howard-drew-allar/stories/202608220031)
Unlike Ramsey, who participated in minicamp before getting injured, Porter was a hold-in during the spring and did not take part in team drills during OTAs and minicamp. The Steelers said he injured his back during conditioning drills on the day the players reported to Saint Vincent College.
Porter’s reluctance to get a new contract could be tied to the big deals being handed to cornerbacks recently around the league. Trent McDuffie, Denzel Ward and Devon Witherspoon all signed contracts during the offseason that average at least $31 million annually. The New England Patriots are prepared to offer Christian Gonzalez a similar, if not larger, deal.
The Steelers have not been shy about already handing about surprisingly big contracts to Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington and Keeanu Benton, but it appears they are not willing to place Porter in the same financial company with some of the league’s top-paid corners.
Kaleb Johnson’s role
Coach Mike McCarthy made a conscious effort to involve running back Kaleb Johnson in Friday night’s shutout loss to the New York Jets before having to make final roster cuts next weekend.
Johnson had 10 carries for 39 yards and caught two passes for 15 yards against the Jets – the most touches he’s had since he had 11 rushes and one reception in last year’s preseason game against Tampa Bay.
Johnson, last year’s third-round draft choice, is in a battle for the final running back spot behind Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle and rookie fullback Riley Nowakowski. His competition is Travis Homer, who plays on special teams, and Lew Nichols.
“I was trying to give him some opportunities,” McCarthy said. “He didn’t get a whole lot last week. We're trying to balance things out. We're trying to move guys around. You're calling concepts based off who's in there, even in the passing game.
[Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts takes down Jets running back Sam Scott during the second half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts takes down Jets running back Sam Scott during the second half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Pittsburgh.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/08/22/nfl-steelers-elandon-roberts-carson-bruener-defense/stories/202608220033)
“I thought he did a nice job between tackles, bounced the ball. We were able to get him in the perimeter a few times. It was a conscious effort to get him some more opportunities, probably more than balance out with the other guys. We got to make up for Buffalo. I want to make sure all those backs get their chances.”
Special teams coach Danny Crossman said he was hoping to get a longer look at Johnson on kick coverage, but the Steelers kicked off just once because they didn’t score any points.
“Playing him more offensively, that's sort of the window where you can use guys in the kicking game,” Crossman said. “And then some of the things that he was scheduled to play on, we ended up not getting into those phases. He was scheduled to play on kickoff coverage, and we didn't get those opportunities.
“That's the hard thing about the kicking game. You try and formulate a plan on getting guys play time in different phases and you're not always guaranteed those phases of how it plays out.”
Battle at linebacker
Inside linebacker Elandon Roberts played 30 of 57 snaps in his first game back with his former team while the Steelers decide if they want him to replace Malik Harrison on the 53-man roster.
Harrison did not play against the Jets because defensive coordinator Patrick Graham wanted to get a longer look at Roberts, who played for him last season in Las Vegas.
Roberts and Harrison are the same type of thumping, run-stuffing linebackers. The Steelers elected not to re-sign Roberts, a former starter, after the 2024 season because they brought in Patrick Queen and drafted Payton Wilson.
To replace him in that role, they signed Harrison, who played 40% of the defensive snaps last season – more than in any of his five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Now they have come back to Roberts, even though Harrison is not injured and has shown on the field to be a competent backup.
“The fact he was able to get caught up, I think, is a testament to his study habits and his work ethic,” Graham said. “Even though I have familiarity with him, each year is different in terms and some of the calls we try to evolve from year to year. I just thought it was really good for him to do that.
“And then he brought out what he does on the field in terms of physicality, leadership. I appreciate it.”
First Published: August 23, 2026, 1:00 a.m.